Transcript Natural Disasters Youth Summit in Hyogo 2005

Start…..
Natural Disasters Youth Summit
2005 Hyogo
A Report Presented
by
KOBE MUNICIPAL
FUKIAI HIGH SCHOOL
Fire Station
Situation After the Earthquake
• Lack of water supply so the fire spread
quickly
• Water pressure was very weak, fire fighters
had to go near the fires.
• Fire departments had different types of
transceivers
• Roads were either destroyed or jammed
• Telephone system didn’t work for many hours.
Hospital
Situation After the Earthquake
• No electricity
• 12 hospitals collapsed
• Not enough medicine and medical
equipment
• Doctors and nurses had to take care of
too many people.
• No coordination among Kobe hospitals
and hospitals in other cities
Police Department
Situation After the Earthquake
• Some buildings of the police department
were badly damaged.
• Collapse of the telephone system.
Government Offices
Situation After the Earthquake
• Many employees were victims.
• Difficult to deliver relief supplies
because of the traffic jam.
• Survivors were difficult to locate.
• Difficult to find a place for the dead
bodies
Students’ Impressions
“I didn’t know that so many problems
happened at that time. The earthquake
occurred suddenly so we people were
shocked and didn’t know what to do.
Now I think we know what to do when
the earthquake happens but we must be
prepared for other natural disasters,
too.”
Students’ Impressions
“Hospitals must have equipment that
works even when electricity is not
available.”
“I understand that many policemen were
in great confusion but I think they could
have saved more people if they didn’t
waste their time.”
Students’ Impressions
“We hope failure teaches success and we
don’t have to make the same mistakes
again.
“I know the police department did their
best but when I think of the people who
died because of the late action, I can’t
stop feeling, “Why didn’t they prepare
beforehand?”
Students’ Impressions
“When an earthquake occurs, the
government cannot immediately act
efficiently so governments from other
cities and prefectures have to help. I
think cooperation among cities and
prefectures are very important.”
• What we have learned about natural
disasters...
– Earthquakes
– Floods
– Typhoons
– Volcanic eruptions
What are earthquakes?
• An earthquake is a sudden shaking
of the earth which may be violent
enough to cause great damage.
Why do earthquakes occur?
• Oceanic and
tectonic plates
constantly move
against each other.
• Friction occurs.
• Energy released
causes earthquakes
Tectonic plate
Oceanic plate
Tectonic plate
Rebound
Oceanic plate
What can we do to prepare for
earthquakes?
• Anchor all furniture to the wall so that it
doesn’t fall over
• Participate in earthquake drills
• Make an escape route map
• Emergency supplies kit
• Learn to use fire extinguisher
What are floods?
• A flood is a great overflow of water to a
place that is usually dry.
• Floods occur because of heavy rains
and inadequacy of flood prevention
devices.
What can we do to prepare for
floods?
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Plant trees in the mountains.
Make dams to prevent mudslides.
Avoid making river banks straight.
Build embankments
Closely monitor sewage systems during
heavy rainfall.
What are typhoons?
• A typhoon is a very violent storm in
tropical areas like the Pacific Ocean in
which the wind moves in circles.
• When warm air collides with cold air,
they spin a counter clockwise direction
and becomes bigger and bigger..
What can we do to prepare for
typhoons?
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•
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Buy candles and other emergency supplies
Be alert
Listen to weather reports
Stay indoors
Cover windows
Put dangerous things away
Don’t use an umbrella
What are volcanic eruptions?
• A volcanic eruption is a natural
outpouring of hot rock or fluids from the
earth.
• Volcano erupts when the pressure of
the magma inside becomes so great
that the volcano splits and the magma
gets out.
What can we do to prepare for
volcanic eruptions?
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•
•
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Have disaster supplies on hand
Check the location of shelters.
Move to a safe place
Don’t panic
Conclusion
• The need to continuously educate
ourselves.
– Safety in our daily life
– Our roles in solving environmental issues
– Understanding cultural differences
• Keyword: Cooperation
Cooperation between Japanese
citizens and foreign communities
• Develop relationships between local
and foreign citizens
• Develop systems to inform foreign
nationals – e.g. FM WaiWai
Cooperation between
government and people
• E.g. making a hazard map
around Mt. Fuji
Cooperation among
countries
• Lessons from recent tsunami
• Need a specialized organization e.g. UN
Conclusion
• Thank you for your
attention.