WFP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific - 2016 SPRs RBB 2016 SPRs by project type | Page 810

Standard Project Report 2016
Response of the Government and Strategic Coordination
Upon the request from government authorities, WFP launched Special Operation 200976: 'Provision of logistics
assistance in support of Japan's response to earthquakes in Kumamoto and surrounding areas'.
Under the overall coordination of the Japanese Government, WFP worked in close partnership with the Kumamoto
Prefectural Government as well as the Japan Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (JVOAD), a coordination
body supported by the government sector, the non-governmental organization (NGO)/non-profit organization (NPO)
sector, and the private sector engaged in the humanitarian response in Japan.
Through this Special Operation, WFP supported the Kumamoto Prefectural Government through the deployment of
technical experts to augment the Government's emergency response to the disaster, including targeted provision of
logistics services.
WFP was invited by JVOAD to participate in a rapid logistics assessment in the earthquake-affected areas
immediately after the earthquake struck, and the assessment results were shared with the UN Country Team in
Japan.
The logistics assets established by WFP were properly handed over to the local municipalities and partners, while
WFP also built the capacities of the local partners in supply chain management.
Summary of WFP Operational Objectives
The Government of Japan led all aspects of the disaster response. Nonetheless, upon a request from the
Kumamoto Prefectural Government, endorsed by the Government of Japan, WFP supplemented the relief efforts for
two months by providing critical logistics and coordination support to local municipalities and coordination bodies.
The Kumamoto Prefectural Government received large volumes of relief cargo, resulting in congestion and
hampering distribution. The Kumamoto Prefectural Government set up a logistics hub, with support from JVOAD, to
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the humanitarian supply chain.
The areas worst affected by the earthquakes suffered major damage to infrastructure; therefore, no suitable storage
facilities were available to establish logistics bases. To augment storage spaces and establish an effective supply
chain system, the Kumamoto local municipalities requested WFP to erect mobile storage facilities in the disaster
areas.
The planned project budget was USD 606,000 for a duration of two months from 02 May to 01 July 2016.
Japan (JP)
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Single Country Special Operation - 200976