Aiming for a Society Where No One is Left Behind in a Humanitarian Crisis: Examples of Cooperation Among Health, Medical Care, and Welfare

Abstract

Introduction:Japan is geographically prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis, economically advanced, and socially characterized as a super-aged society. The SDGs are a concrete strategy to achieve a society where no one is left behind. So what exactly can we do to protect the vulnerable populace? This presentation will introduce the system of cooperation and implementation of medical, health, and welfare disaster relief in Japan.Method:Government documents were received on developing national policies regarding the strategy for the unification of medical, health, and welfare. For implementation, the status of support teams specializing in disaster welfare and training status was reviewed.Results:National policy level achievements: The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) issued a "Notification on Enhancing and Strengthening the Medical System in Times of Disaster" in 2012 and conducted a critical review of the initial response to the Kumamoto earthquake in 2016 in the "Initial Response Verification Report." This process reaffirmed the need to support vulnerable populations such as the disabled, children, and the elderly. In 2021, the Disaster Welfare Assistance Team was added to the Basic Plan for Disaster Management and the MHLW Disaster Management Work Plan.Implementation level Achievement: As of 2022, 24 of the 47 prefectures have a DWAT in place. Gunma, Kyoto, and Miyazaki prefectures were the most advanced, with 1) ongoing meetings to strengthen cooperation with medical and health care teams, 2) participation in joint drills, and 3) DWAT awareness-raising activities through training for municipal administrative staff.Conclusion:While this review revealed that the national government had made progress in developing policies, the implementation revealed that some prefectures have not yet established DWATs.