Downpours kill hundreds in South, Southeast AsiaーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts:

• Torrential rain and its devastating consequences (landslides, flooding)
• Humanitarian crises and disaster response
• Corruption and its impact on disaster preparedness
• International aid and cooperation
• Volunteerism and people-to-people exchanges

Torrential Rains Trigger Deadly Disasters in South and Southeast Asia

South and Southeast Asia are currently experiencing severe weather events characterized by torrential rainfall. These downpours have led to deadly landslides in Sumatra, Indonesia, where at least 442 people have been confirmed dead and over 400 are missing. Some areas in the region recorded rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters per day during heavy downpours last week, resulting in widespread flooding and landslides. Consequently, over 300,000 people have been evacuated. Satellite imagery starkly illustrates the scale of the devastation in northern Sumatra, with one photograph revealing a vast area turned muddy brown due to silt entering the sea, a stark contrast to the lush green landscape depicted in an earlier image from June. In Ache, eight Japanese nationals were stranded; seven have been rescued, while the remaining individual, deemed to have sufficient provisions, chose to remain.

Widespread Devastation Across Other Asian Nations

The intense rainfall is causing significant damage in other parts of Asia as well. In Thailand, officials report 170 fatalities due to flooding and landslides in the southern regions since mid-November, affecting millions. Sri Lanka experienced a cyclone last week that unleashed floods and landslides, resulting in over 350 deaths and more than 360 missing individuals. President Anura Kumar Danayaka described the situation as the country's most challenging rescue operation to date.

Corruption Undermines Flood Control Efforts in the Philippines

In the Philippines, thousands of citizens have protested in Metro Manila, condemning alleged corruption linked to stalled or non-existent flood control projects. In Kissan City on Sunday, demonstrators called for the prosecution of all individuals implicated in the alleged graft. Protesters emphasized the suffering of the populace, particularly the poor, due to corruption and demanded systemic change. Public discontent has escalated following revelations of "ghost" disaster prevention projects, where budgets were allocated but projects were not executed. Critics believe that the severity of recent typhoon-induced flooding could have been mitigated had these projects been properly implemented. Authorities have arrested eight officials connected to these projects and issued an arrest warrant for a former lawmaker who has since fled the country. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to pursue the case vigorously and has established a special commission for investigation. However, suspicions have arisen regarding the impartiality of the probe, given that the former House Speaker, who is also the president's cousin, is reportedly under scrutiny.

Japan Marks 60 Years of Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Amidst Aid Strain

Japan is commemorating the 60th anniversary of its overseas volunteer program, the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV). This milestone occurs at a time when international cooperation is facing challenges, including the US administration's review of its foreign aid. NHK World's Kim Jong reports on projects in Laos, the inaugural recipient of Japanese assistance.

Laos: A Legacy of Cooperation and Development

A ceremony celebrating the 60th anniversary brought together current and former volunteers with Lao government officials. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and its predecessors have dispatched over 1,100 individuals to Laos over the years. Japanese overseas volunteer projects have been instrumental in fostering knowledge development and people-to-people exchanges in fields such as education, sports, agriculture, forestry, tourism, and trade.

Pioneering Agricultural Techniques

Eighty-four-year-old Onishi, one of the first volunteers dispatched to Laos 58 years ago, visited the country for the first time since his initial assignment. He expressed deep emotion at the transformation of the country, noting, "It's changed so much. It makes me wonder if I was really here." After studying agriculture in the US, Onishi was inspired by youth activities there and applied to become a volunteer. Upon his arrival, he observed that Lao farmers sold their rice with grains still attached, a method susceptible to loss during rainstorms. Onishi introduced the Japanese practice of cultivating seeds separately and then transplanting the seedlings, which significantly boosted local rice production. During his recent visit, Onishi shared his experiences, highlighting the importance of continuous communication, recalling a memorable candlelight conversation with locals.

Sports Development Through Coaching

Another crucial form of Japanese support involves sports coaching. Kikuchi Tomoki, a judo instructor, is training athletes for Laos' national team in a martial arts hall in Vientiane, funded by Japanese aid. Despite Laos' ongoing financial constraints and limited sports budgets, Kikuchi's coaching has led to improvements in athletes' physical capabilities and their anticipation of new techniques in matches. He aims to contribute to the advancement of judo in Laos, expressing a hope that his efforts will be recognized in the future.

Conclusion: The Enduring Role of Japanese Volunteers

In an era of increasing pressure on international aid, Japanese volunteers continue to represent Japan and play a vital role in building trust with local communities in Laos.

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Torrential Rain: Extremely heavy rainfall.
• Landslides: The sliding down of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.
• Flooding: An overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal confines, especially over what is normally dry land.
• Evacuated: Removed from a place of danger to safety.
• Satellite Images: Images of the Earth or other celestial bodies taken from space by artificial satellites.
• Silt: Fine sand, clay, or other granular material carried along by a flowing stream and deposited as a sediment on the bottom or banks.
• Cyclone: A large-scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure.
• Graft: Corruption, especially bribery.
• Ghost Projects: Projects for which funds have been allocated but which are not actually carried out.
• Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV): A program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that dispatches young Japanese volunteers to developing countries to assist in various fields.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): Japan's governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries.
• Transplanting: Moving a plant from one place to another.
• Martial Arts Hall: A facility dedicated to the practice of martial arts.