UN Disaster Team Deploys To Japan

(Tokyo/New York, 14 March 2011): A United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has arrived in Japan to support the Government in its emergency response operations.

A major emergency rescue and relief operation is underway following a 9.0 earthquake that triggered a powerful tsunami that devastated the coast of northeast Japan on the Friday.

However, this is not the normal UNDAC deployment as the Government of Japan has a very strong disaster preparedness and response mechanism in place and is coordinating the international response effort.

More than 13 countries have sent specialized international search and rescue teams to help the Government and its emergency response agencies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested UNDAC assist the response effort by disseminating accurate and timely information to the international community on the emergency and ongoing Government response.

It will also assist the Government in providing advice on incoming international relief goods and services with the aim of limiting unsolicited contributions.

The seven-member disaster response team includes specialists from France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, India, Republic of Korea and Japan. As per standard operating procedures the team will set up an Onsite Operations and Coordination Centre (OSOCC).

UNDAC is designed to assist the UN in meeting on site coordination requirements and international needs for early and qualified information during the first phase of a suddenonset emergency. It deploys disaster response experts within 24 hours anywhere in the world.

The UNDAC team will travel to the affected areas in the coming days to get a better understanding of the humanitarian needs.