Hydro-meteorological hazards, including storms, floods, droughts, as well as heat and cold waves, have caused almost 80 percent of disaster events and over 50 percent of disaster-related deaths since 1980.
Japan is a global leader in identifying, predicting, and managing the risks posed by hydro-meteorological hazards. Domestically, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)’s Water and Disaster Management Bureau and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) are among the most sophisticated agencies in the world in their field, providing critical services to the Japanese public and private industry. Internationally, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is a world leader supporting investments to build the capacity of developing countries in this area, often working and coordinating with the World Bank.
The World Bank Disaster Risk Management Hub’s Hydromet engagement is drawing out the lessons learned from Japan’s experience in building modern hydro-meteorological services, and connecting developing countries with this applied knowledge. This work will help inform the modernization efforts of countries such as Myanmar, Mozambique and Bangladesh, who are all embarking on their own major hydro-met upgrade programs with the financial and technical assistance of the World Bank.
