Please visit the Multi-Hazards webpage for more information about the program.

The International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) held a workshop, “Building Disaster-Resistant Universities: Is Your University Ready for the Next Natural Disaster?” on February 2–4, 2016 at the IRIDeS.

Preface The experience of the COVID 19 pandemic reminded us that hazard risks are not only natural, but also include different types of hazards such as biological, chemical, industrial etc. It is crucial to understand these various types of hazard risks and take proper preparedness measures to ensure effective response efforts. The scope of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, adopted at the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015, emphasizes that “the present framework will apply to the risk of small-scale and large-scale, frequent and infrequent, sudden and slow-onset disasters caused by natural or manmade hazards as well as related environmental, technological, and biological hazards and risks. It aims to guide the multi-hazard management of disaster risk in development at all levels as well as within and across all sectors.” To support and implement the framework, we are required to incorporate both natural and anthropogenic hazards as well as other types of hazards such as pandemics in our disaster management strategy. Further, we must adopt a comprehensive approach which encompasses all hazards. Universities in particular need to consider adopting this approach as they keep explosive, chemical, and hazardous materials on campus and are responsible for numerous students, staff, and faculty. In addition, the impact on neighboring communities could also be tremendous if any incidents occurred on campus. The year 2020 was extremely challenging for universities, faculty, and students in education. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our regular classes, educational programs, field visits, etc. were tremendously restricted. Students, faculty, and administration staff were struggling to transition teaching and learning methodologies to an online format. The lack of internet access as well as stable connectivity were the fundamental obstacles in many countries. Nevertheless, many universities have overcome these challenges and minimized the damage with innovative and cooperative solutions in such difficult circumstances. It is crucial to learn from these innovative approaches and measures on how universities have been managing this crisis. The APRU Multi-Hazards (MH) program was jointly established in 2013 with the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and Tohoku University in Japan. The campus safety program is a major activity of the MH program. The program includes conducting a survey to understand the status of universities’ disaster preparedness, organizing workshops to learn from each other, and compiling this case study to share the experience. At the workshop held early 2020, it was proposed to collect the case studies to learn how universities responded and prepare for the pandemic, and share them especially among university safety/crisis management offices, university staff, and faculty. The idea of this publication derives from the workshop. The case studies aim to collect the efforts made by universities in the response and preparedness toward the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other hazards such as earthquakes, fires, and anthropogenic hazards. Further, it aims to investigate how to prepare for future pandemics and disasters more effectively. This compilation includes 26 case studies from 13 countries and region. It is critical to keep a record of what happened and success and failures to learn from the experience and prepare for the next hazardous events. We hope that this publication will be useful for universities in strengthening their current strategy and plan to reduce multiple disaster risks and respond efficiently. Further, we believe that it will enable them to establish a resilient campus against various types of hazards to protect the lives of students, staff, and faculty as well as the assets on campus. Find out more detials about the Multi-Hazards Program here.

APRU is proud to announce that the Multi-Hazards Program has facilitated the publication, Safety and Resilience of Higher Educational Institutions: Considerations for a Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Analysis, under Springer. Find out more information about the book and the program here.

The 2014 summer school entitled “Prepare for high impact disasters: towards the UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction” was organized on July 22–25, 2014 at Tohoku University and attended by 47 participants from seven countries. This year’s summer school consisted of a seminar with a series of presentations as well as group discussions on campus safety and regional priorities in DRR. A field trip was also conducted to Kesennuma City, which was very severely affected by the 2011 disaster.

A 2-page summary of key points surrounding campus safety and disaster management plans.

Developed by a group of individuals from the International Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University, Keio University, the University of Tokyo, the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), and Church World Service (CWS) Japan in collaboration with the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Multi-Hazards Program, this publication features 30 innovations for DRR including products and approaches. The volume is a response from the world of academia to the Sendai Framework’s call for the promotion of scientific research and to support the application of science and technology in decision-making.

Find out more about the Multi-Hazards Symposium 2019 here.

The 7th APRU-IRIDeS Multi-Hazards Summer School was held on 22-25 July at Tohoku University. More than 60 students and researchers from 11 countries and region (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S.A and Japan) participated in the event. They learned the experience from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the recovery effort in the affected area and discuss the contribution of academia in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR). To find out more details about the summer school, please click here.

The 5th APRU Multi-Hazards Summer School was held at Tohoku University on July 18-21, 2017. Nearly 40 participants from 10 countries participated in the event to learn the lessons learnt and experience from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the recovery efforts in the affected areas and discuss the contribution of academia in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR).

Recognizing that greatly improved data is necessary to support all facets of disaster research, the UC Davis scholars and experts placed the focus of the Multi-Hazard Data Science Workshop on improvements in data and decision science. This emphasis is congruent with the growing interest within the larger Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and APRU for the development of data science and data analytics expertise across the region. This report was generated from the Multi-Hazard Data Science Workshop which took place at UC Davis on June 26-28, 2019.

The 2013 summer school was organised on July 23-25, 2013 at Tohoku University as the first major activity under the Multi-Hazards Program. The summer school was attended by 31 participants from 9 countries, and it consisted of 17 students, 13 faculty members and 1 APRU secretariat staff.

A 2-page publication showing the scholarly output, research impact and main topics on disaster science in the Asia-Pacific.

Elsevier has launched an important new report, A Global Outlook on Disaster Science, in partnership with global experts and leading international institutions, including APRU. (November 2017) On November 20, Elsevier has launched an important new report, A Global Outlook on Disaster Science, in partnership with global experts and leading international institutions, including Tohoku University IRIDeS. The report displays an analysis of global disaster science scholarly output and specific topics being studied within research on different types of disasters. One of the most novel analyses presented in the report is the examination of disaster science in the context of the human toll and economic burden of natural disasters. The study also provides more insights on disaster science research conducted in 10 individual countries, in the Americas, Asia, and Europe, revealing which disaster types are researched and where. Press Release Download report here

For more information about the Multi-Hazards Program, please visit https://apru.org/our-work/pacific-rim-challenges/multi-hazards/.

The 4th APRU-IRIDeS Multi-Hazards Summer School, organised by the APRU Multi-Hazards Program and hosted by the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University was held in Sendai from 19 to 22 July 2016.

The 3rd APRU Multi-Hazards Summer School was held at Tohoku University on 21-24 July 2015. More than 40 participants from 10 countries participated in the event to learn the lessons-learnt and experience from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and discuss the role of universities to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

To know more about the Multi-Hazards Program Virtual Autumn School, visit here.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the 8th edition of APRU-IRIDeS Multi-Hazards Summer School had to be held virtually. Through a zoom platform, three sessions were held on July 15, 22, and 29 (JST). The event aimed to share the experiences and lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (GEJET), learn from the experiences in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and risk management from various stakeholders, and understand the latest international disaster science research conducted by the researchers globally. 842 people worldwide in total attended these sessions. The 2020 Multi-Hazards Summer School Themes Session I: Lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Session II: Role of various stakeholders in disaster risk reduction Session III: Latest research in disaster science To know more about the summer school 2020, please visit here.

The main objectives of the Multi-Hazards Program are to harness the collective capacities of APRU Universities for cutting-edge research on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and to contribute to international policy-making discussions to steadily improve DRR.

Progress in Disaster Science is an open-access Journal that aims to report on the substantial progress in disaster research field for the purpose of better integrating disaster research and policy.

APRU-IRIDeS Multi-Hazards Program Campus Safety Workshop 2018: Building Disaster Resistant Universities: Is Your University Ready for the Next Natural Disaster? April 3-5, 2018, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the key challenges, approaches and lessons of the higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the context of COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted to understand the key challenges being faced by the HEIs around the world during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 150 responses were collected from 65 universities, located in 29 countries. Findings – The results show that 47% of respondents with defined universities believe their institutions lacked a permanent or dedicated emergency management office, and 41% said their HEIs lacked a general business continuity plan for an emergency. In universities with BCPs, 33%of the plans do not cover biological hazards and pandemic risk management, and 60% of the plans did not include conducting any advanced simulation exercises. More than 70% the responded said their instruction, information sharing and decisionmaking process were timely and open. The major challenges identified were a lack of adequate preparedness for pandemic and of pandemic-specific advanced simulation exercises. The next major challenges were the change in the mode of teaching to online lectures and working from home. Based on these challenges, a set of short- and long-term recommendations were proposed. Originality/value – This was the first survey in academic institutions in post COVID-19 context. The findings will be useful for preparing for biological and other related hazards.

For more information about the Multi-Hazards Program, please visit https://apru.org/our-work/pacific-rim-challenges/multi-hazards/.

For more information about the Multi-Hazards Program, please visit https://apru.org/our-work/pacific-rim-challenges/multi-hazards/.

Science and Technology in Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia 1st Edition: Potentials and Challenges This book collects cases and studies presented at the APRU multi-hazards research symposium at Kyoto University in 2016. Science and Technology in Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia: Potentials and Challenges provides both a local and global perspective on how to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Topics demonstrate the advancement of scientific research as it applies to early warning systems, including identifying risk and the strengthening of infrastructure for different types of hazards. Through different major disasters, it has become evident that there must be a balance between hard and soft technology and physical, process and social solutions. This book demonstrates how this has been successfully implemented in Asia, and how these applications can apply on a global basis. Key Features Covers new research on the role of science in Disaster Risk Reduction and lessons learned when research has been applied Utilizes case studies to outline the broader lessons learned Focuses on the Sendai Framework, which was adopted in the Third UN World Conference in 2015 Readership Professionals in disaster risk reduction across governmental agencies, intergovernmental agencies, and NGOs; researchers in the field of environment and climate change studies. About the Editor Rajib Shaw Rajib Shaw is Professor in the Graduate School of Media and Governance in Keio University, Japan. He has worked closely with the local communities, NGOs, governments and international organization, including United Nations, especially in Asian countries. His research interests are: community based disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, urban risk management, and disaster and environmental education. He is currently the member of UN ISDR Science Technology Advisory Group (STAG), and Co-chair of UN ISDR Science Technology Academia Stakeholder Group. Professor Shaw has extensive publications in different journals, books and edited volumes. Affiliations and Expertise Keio University, Fujisawa, Japan Expertise: disaster risk reduction Koichi Shiwaku Koichi Shiwaku is a Researcher in the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies of Kyoto University, Japan. He has been working with central and local governments, NGOs, school teachers and students, and local communities in Japan and overseas countries. His recent works are enhancing school disaster resilience and capacity development of officers of board of education in the area affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. His research interests are disaster education, community based disaster risk management, governance for disaster education, school safety, and capacity development of local government. Affiliations and Expertise OYO International Corporation, Tokyo, Japan Takako Izumi Takako Izumi is an Associate Professor in the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University in Japan. She also serves as Programme Coordinator of the Multi-Hazards Programme under the Association of Pacific Lim Universities (APRU) that consists of 45 universities and academic institutes in the Pacific Lim. Her research interests include international and regional framework of disaster risk reduction, disaster risk reduction at local level, and role of civil society in disaster management. Previously, she worked for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) for the disaster response coordination in Asia and for one of the international NGOs in Malaysia as General Manager to oversee the programs of disaster response and disaster risk reduction. Affiliations and Expertise International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Japan Further details>>

The 6th APRU (Association of Pacific Rim Universities) Multi-Hazards Summer School was held at Tohoku University on 24-27 July 2018. In addition to the participants from the APRU member universities, the students from the Young Leaders Program (YLP) of the Northeast Asia Economic Forum (NEAEF) also attended this event on 24-25 July. The event received total more than 60 participants to learn the lessons-learnt and experience from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the recovery efforts in the affected areas and discuss the contribution of academia in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR).

This publication entitled “30 Innovations linking DRR with SDGs” is the second volume in the “30 Innovations” series, and includes an additional 30 innovations focusing on 10 sectors— Emergency response, Gender, Health, Agriculture, Water, Children, Education, Disabilities, Livelihood, and Early warning—to demonstrate the strong association between DRR and SDGs. These 10 sectors were selected following detailed discussions by a group of experts in DRR, taking into consideration the 17 SDGs. Similar to the first volume, another survey was conducted on the most effective DRR innovations, which received 200 responses from academia, governments, the private sector, NGOs, and international and regional organizations. The innovation that was selected as the most effective from the 30 listed items in this publication was “Ecosystem-based DRR” under the “Livelihood” section. The outcome shows that we should consider how to maintain or channel these existing ideas, instead of focusing on developing expensive new technologies that require complicated procedures to apply. A first volume “30 Innovations for Disaster Risk Reduction” was released at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held in Geneva in May 2019. Find out more information here.