By Mr Kazuhiro Oka, Deputy General Secretary, Zensuido water union (PSI affiliate-Japan)
Climate change may increase the frequency and magnitude of some forms of natural disasters. PSI insists that public service workers must be consulted and involved in planning, decision making and delivery at all levels of disaster scenarios. Public service workers are the skilled first responders in times of crisis. Emergency services, healthcare, water and energy workers risk their health and lives on the frontlines in the service of their communities.
On March 11, 2011, the 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off the coast of Tohoku, causing extensive and serious damage in Tohoku and North Kanto Regions in Japan. The earthquake also triggered enormous tsunami, hitting the whole areas that face the Pacific Ocean. Sanriku, coastal areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures were particularly affected, not just ports and surrounding facilities but also towns and villages. Other coastal towns in Ibaragi and Chiba prefectures are also affected - roads damaged, a hospital 'devoured', liquefaction, etc.
On the day of the earthquake, more than 1000 water workers from all over the country left in 204 water tankers to provide water to the people. Water workers from all over Japan came immediately after the disaster to help co-workers, who are themselves victims of earthquake/ tsunami, working day and night to restore water service. Water outage affected 1.4 million households in Eastern Japan - massive water leaks in an extensive industrial park; Leakage at flexible pipe installed to prevent earthquake damage, water filtration plants were damaged, etc.
To boost the morale of affiliate members who have been working on restoration of water service for more than one month, Zensuido brought donation to Ishinomaki, Sendai, and Iwaki which was hit by rumours delaying restoration.
§ The earthquake and tsunami in Japan demonstrated that even high resource countries that are well prepared suffer damage and rely heavily on the quality of their public service infrastructure to limit the multiple harms that disasters entail. Governments are responsible for protecting people. Investment in strong public safety regulations, well-trained and properly equipped public service workers and quality public services are key to effective disaster readiness, risk reduction, response and recovery.
§ When proper building standards are enforced, needless injuries and deaths are avoided in times of disaster. Well-informed urban planning can reduce risks from climate crises. And a well-trained public workforce and strong emergency and health services can quickly and effectively help people during and after a crisis.
§ These actions require committed investment in quality public services. Investments in public services save lives. They are investments in jobs that build economies, and investments in services that ensure sustainable communities. PSI urges the United Nations, relevant UN entities, governments and non-governmental organizations to consult and work with trade unions globally to strengthen emergency prevention and response infrastructures at regional and national levels, and to ensure that emergency workers are well-trained and well-equipped to meet any challenge.
PSI Asia Pacific - Utilities - Electricity - Water & Local Government Network Bulletin Blog - The below items are published as an internal PSI Bulletin monthly or you can follow by each post by e-mail.
