Enhancing resilience through public policy : lessons from disaster logistics in the post-2011 Tohoku earthquake in Sendai city

Title: Enhancing resilience through public policy : lessons from disaster logistics in the post-2011 Tohoku earthquake in Sendai city

Author: Mrs.Megumi Okumura

Year: 2024

Keywords: Disaster Logistics,Resilience,Policy Integration,Stakeholder Coordination

Theme: Disaster and Crisis Management

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: In recent years, the integration of resilience into disaster policy has gained global traction. Despite being widely adopted as a concept by international institutions such as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Bank, resilience often remains underdeveloped at the operational level and is frequently seen as a “buzzword.” Even in Japan, although recognized for its disaster preparedness, there has been limited debate on how resilience is integrated in public policy. The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake prompted fundamental questions such as “Resilience to what?” and “Resilience for whom?”, highlighting the need to examine the purpose and direction of resilience within Japan’s disaster policy. In this context, disaster logistics has emerged as a critical area, particularly regarding the challenges of last-mile delivery—the final transport of emergency supplies to affected communities.This study analyzed how resilience-based public policies have been integrated and implemented in Sendai City, a municipality at the forefront of disaster response during the 2011 earthquake. It aimed to evaluate how such policies have influenced disaster logistics practices and contributed to building community, physical, and social resilience. Through qualitative methods, data were collected via interviews with government officials and experts from the academic field. Supplementary sources such as policy documents and academic literature were analysed using content analysis. The findings revealed three main insights. First, stakeholder engagement has improved significantly since 2011, with stronger coordination mechanisms emerging among different administrative levels and sectors. Second, there remains a gap in the conceptual clarity of “resilience” in policy language, limiting its practical application. Interviewees from both Sendai City and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) acknowledged this ambiguity. Third, coordination between local and central governments remains challenging, particularly due to decentralization and ambiguity over who should take the lead in disaster management. Some municipalities resist external involvement, which complicates efforts to achieve seamless coordination. The thesis argues that the extent to which resilience-based public policy for disaster logistics has been adopted in Sendai City reveals both progress and persistent gaps, particularly in clarifying the purpose of resilience and in strengthening the linkage between local and central governments—factors that are crucial for enhancing the resilience of social systems.This study contributes to disaster logistics and resilience policy discourse by examining how resilience concepts have been integrated into public policy and translated into practice. The choice of Sendai City—a key site for global disaster governance and a host of international resilience conferences—provides a valuable case for examining how resilient-based public policies in disaster logistics have been integrated into public policy and implemented in practice

Empowerment of indigenous women in recovery of post-earthquake 2015 in Nepal: a feminist perspective

Title: Empowerment of indigenous women in recovery of post-earthquake 2015 in Nepal: a feminist perspective

Author: Miss Mintira Premruethairat

Year: 2019

Keywords: Indigenous women, Earthquake 2015, Nepal, Women Empowerment

Theme: Disaster and Crisis Management

Advisor(s): Kasira Cheeppensook

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Discrimination against gender and caste can be overwhelming issue to a person or a group who faces it. Similarly, indigenous women of Nepal have been facing impediments in regard to unequal power relations caused by gender, identity, as well as disaster. With the conceptualization of Feminist Political Ecology, this paper analyzes the subjectivities of a feminist perspective that highlights the lives of indigenous women pre-earthquake and their experiences on how they are affected by power relations in political ecology of Nepal. Along with the findings of the indigenous women’s lives and their experiences amid the earthquake 2015 have also been analyzed with the notion of empowerment in Nepal. In addition, the analysis on the notion of empowerment is made on political, socio-cultural, environmental governance, and economical aspects, as these dimensions are interconnected and intertwined that have consequences on indigenous women in terms of power imbalance, disaster sensitivity, and their empowerment. So, this paper finds it important to explore on such subjectivities to enlighten the stakeholder on the differences that a woman based on gender and caste is facing different forms of impediments on their lives and experiences during a disaster. Likewise, the paper is based on qualitative research with the interview of a focus group on research site named Sankhu/Shankarapur in Kathmandu district (hard-hit area by earthquake 2015), and as well on one-on-one interview with key informants, along with secondary sources for analysis. Hence, this research has been an emphasis on the dynamics of indigenous women’s lives pre-earthquake and their experiences during the earthquake 2015, with the notion of empowerment through the lens of Feminist Political Ecology

The Thailand mechanism in conflict management during flood response and relief : a case study of conflict related to Klong Mahasawat

Title: The Thailand mechanism in conflict management during flood response and relief : a case study of conflict related to Klong Mahasawat

Author: Pongsanphet Suntivechatarm

Year: 2016

Keywords: Floods, Disaster relief, Conflict management

Theme: Disaster and Crisis Management

Advisor(s): Prapart Pintobtang, Man Purotaganon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This study aims to identify mechanisms in conflict management during flood response and relief in 2011 where the study will focus on the conflict that occurred during flood in 2011of the area or related to Klong Mahasawat as the conflict scene. It also explores the potential regulatory for the management of conflict at the sluicegate including the analysis of Administrative Court’s order to be used as conflict management tool. The qualitative approach is used in this study, utilizing documentary analysis and in-depth interviewing of key informants from government institutions, related organizations, and affected people including people who live upstream and downstream of sluicegates. This study use stages of conflict to be a key of analysis of management mechanisms in three principles; authorities’ leadership, people participation, and information sharing. This study reveals that the three principles are interconnected and very important to alleviate conflict during flood response and relief where conflict occurred because of flood management rather than natural phenomenon. The leadership is the main factor that contributed and influenced to another two aspects as the leader is the key to enhance people participation and sharing of information that related to conflict and flood management. The official leaders who are in charge of disaster management must be very active and knowledgeable on their duties, especially during the time of conflict that all efforts of determination solely bear under their responsibilities. The leadership at community level is very capable and effective to conflict resolution and significantly contributed to support another two aspects as information sharing and people participation. The study has shown that the notion of people’s participation as public consultation in such measures of flood management should have done comprehensively especially during preventive phase to safeguard any impediments derived during the flood response and relief. The information sharing is a unique reason to reduce conflict, but it must be in clearly, precisely and timely manner. The Administrative Court’s order is very important to uphold the duty and responsibility of all involved parties. However, the order should be observed seriously by the public for its enforcement

Disaster risk reduction in the education sector : a case study of schools affected by typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Philippines

Title: Disaster risk reduction in the education sector : a case study of schools affected by typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Philippines

Author: Julia Macher

Year: 2014

Keywords: DISASTER / DISASTERRISKREDUCTION / EDUCATION / EDUCATIONSECTOR /, PHILIPPINES

Theme: Disaster and Crisis Management

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon, advisor, Albert Salamanca, co-advisor

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Philippines is a powerful example of the type of disaster risk experienced by many communities around the globe, and the need for effective ways to cope with natural hazards when they strike. Disaster Risk Reduction provides the conceptual framework for disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness to limit the impact of natural hazards. The interplay of Disaster Risk Reduction and education is unique in that both Disaster Risk Reduction helps to build resilience of the education sector itself and education plays an important role to provide at-risk societies with the knowledge and skills to reduce the impact of future disasters. Therefore, a comprehensive approach for Disaster Risk Reduction needs to be integrated in the Philippine education sector to build resilience for future disasters. Typhoon Haiyan represents an important case study, as its response, recovery and rehabilitation phase offers a critical opportunity to integrate Disaster Risk Reduction strategies in order to prevent the creation of new risk and reduce existing risk. This thesis analyses their implementation on school and community level. The research used a qualitative design, including school visits and semi-structured interviews with teachers and education personnel, NGO staff and local volunteers as well as community members. The purpose of this research is to provide insights on action for Disaster Risk Reduction in education in the post-disaster phase, and, drawing on these findings, highlight recommendations for dealing with future disasters. Key findings indicate lack of awareness and implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction on school level. The study showed needs for more effective translation of national policies to local level, continued development efforts as well as increased focus on pre-emptive Disaster Risk Reduction measures. With regard to future disaster, strengthen human resources and capacities is of greatest importance. Further, building a disaster resilient education system requires continued effort and advocacy for a comprehensive approach to Disaster Risk Reduction in the Education sector at all levels

The Role of military in disaster relief : case study on the relationship between the Royal Thai Army and government agencies in flood 2011 in Bangkok

Title: The Role of military in disaster relief : case study on the relationship between the Royal Thai Army and government agencies in flood 2011 in Bangkok

Author: Wutthisan Luangjinda

Year: 2012

Keywords: MILITARY / GOVERNMENT AGENCIES / DISASTER RELIEF /, COORDINATION / FLOOD 2011/ BANGKOK

Theme: Disaster and Crisis Management

Advisor(s): Panitan Wattanayagorn

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This study focuses on the role of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) in disaster relief operations during the flood 2011 in Bangkok. This is aimed to understand the fundamental barriers faced by the RTA in interfacing with government agencies in disaster relief operations. It also analyzes the weaknesses of the existing interfacing mechanism as well as determines the possible ways in minimizing the fundamental barriers for the interfacing process with government agencies. The study uses qualitative approach for the case-study, utilizing content analysis of written materials and key informant interviews in the form of semi-conducted style on the RTA units and key government agencies who were involved in the disaster relief operation during the Thailand Flood in 2011 in Bangkok. This study uses the Coordination Model, developed by the National Institute of Justice, the United Stated Department of Justice, to analyze the qualitative data from the interviews. This study revealed that the difficulties for the RTA can be categorized at two levels, policy level and operation level. There is also some gap between these levels during the disaster relief operations in the flood 2011 in Bangkok, which helps to understand the difference in the thoughts and concerns of the personnel of both levels. However, one major common difficulty for both levels is the unawareness and unpreparedness for this prolonged flooding. The relief operations were done at hand with very limited knowledge and experiences, creating complexity in management of assistances. The vital concern at the policy level is the legal and structural aspect of barrier. The role of the military in disaster relief is stated to be the supporting one, which means that the RTA must only operate upon the requests of other agencies in disaster relief. At the operation level, it is found that the vital concern is the relief equipment as the existing equipment is not designed for relief operations in such prolonged flood situation. From this study, it is reflected that the collective awareness and preparedness for natural disasters are not thoroughly promoted nor productively utilized for national plan.

Disaster diplomacy : a case study of the tripartite core group's post-nargis humanitarian assistance in Myanmar

Title: Disaster diplomacy : a case study of the tripartite core group's post-nargis humanitarian assistance in Myanmar

Author: Dalina Prasertsri

Year: 2009

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Disaster and Crisis Management

Advisor(s): Puangthong Pawakapan

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: On 2 May 2008 the devastating Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar, causing over 140,000 deaths and affecting about 2.4 million people in the country. Despite the desperate situation, the Government of Myanmar refused the humanitarian assistance offered by international development organizations and Western governments. This act caused the international community to formulate unconventional ways in order to bring relief into Myanmar. They attempted to apply the Responsibility to Protect principle but failed, and later on used disaster diplomacy tactics by utilizing ASEAN as a mediating agent to build dialogue between Myanmar and the humanitarian community. This ASEAN-led mechanism was operated under the establishment of the coordinating body called the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) aiming to bring aid into Myanmar. This thesis uses the disaster diplomacy framework to address the impact of Cyclone Nargis on the two-decades-long tension between the Government of Myanmar and the international community. The TCG, with the mediating support by the ASEAN, was seen by many observers as an opportunity to revitalize and improve this relationship. Apart from facilitating aid, the TCG was expected to help breaking down Myanmar’s suspicion about the West’s agenda and help the Government of Myanmar realize that the humanitarian community had no hidden political objective on its aid agenda. Beyond evaluating the work of the TCG in the above light, the thesis also aims to examine the achievements of the ASEAN and the UN as to whether they were able to efficiently meet the TCG’s objectives regarding humanitarian aid and their ability to change the perception, behavior, approach and objectives of Myanmar. The study also identifies the gaps, challenges and the opportunities faced by the group to provide efficient and meaningful emergency response to Myanmar.

Community-based disaster management in Myanmar : the case of cyclone Nargis affected communities in Bogale township, Ayeyarwady division

Title: Community-based disaster management in Myanmar : the case of cyclone Nargis affected communities in Bogale township, Ayeyarwady division

Author: Kyaw Thu Mya Han

Year: 2008

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Disaster and Crisis Management

Advisor(s): Chantana Banpasirichote, advisor

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This study aims to identify and assess existing efforts of the local people in managing natural disaster at the community level. It also explores the necessary conditions for the promotion of community-based disaster management focusing on three communities of Bogale Township, Ayeyarwady delta, including Ma Gu Ywar Ma, Pay Chaung Lay and Thar Yar Gone villages. Exploratory and qualitative methods are used in the study. Analysis is based on empirical field observations guided by disaster management framework of the UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations and local non-governmental organizations concerned. The study evaluates the government policies and framework on disaster management, and the role of local communities in disaster relief activities. Local household members were interviewed. The study finds the villagers were able to organize themselves at a minimum level, e.g., maintaining relief items in their communities' warehouses, and reconstructing the school. Aspects of community disaster management were not well established such as early warning system and evacuation protocols as well as the humanitarian relief operation. This reflects upon the government's initial arrangement for the community was not adequate. The ability to mobilize and utilize local resources and the capacity of local communities still requires continuous national and international assistance. Under the strictly control of the government's command over the relief operation, the community-based disaster management cannot be fully exercised. This is due to the fact that the community needs to access to the initial humanitarian relief to be able to play a greater role in reviving their livelihoods; and the two-way communication channels with other actors including the government agencies is not established.