Learning from Disaster: Miyakejima, Japan and New Orleans, USA

Andrea and I were invited to a round table discussion between the Japan Society and The New Orleans Office of Recovery Development and Administration. There were many critical stakeholders representing government, private sector, non-profit, financial professionals, and foundations for both countries. This discussion was a great opportunity to learn from the island of Miyakejima and their experiences with prevalent volcanic eruptions.

A couple things that stood out was the power that the government has to provide immediate relief. American checks and balances were created for a reason and it is much needed, but in times of relief and recovery, drastic measures will produce drastic results.

Other points that stood out was the way in which homes are demolished--once the owner and the government decides that the home is best to be demoed, then the owner is responsible for the demolition and if s/he chooses to ask the municipality, then unemployed people are contracted through an organization to provide the service. Thus, public tax dollars are not expended.

The Japanese also stated that at the community level, a map of each neighborhood depicts the demographic of the community, especially those elderly and disabled so that everyone is aware of the vulnerable population for emergency preparedness and disaster readiness. There were many other key points that our organization will further research.

On the other hand, the mayor of the Japanese town expressed his empathy towards New Orleans' disaster-related poor. I'm sure it is confusing to see so many working homeless living in tents underneath a major highway in one of the richest countries in the world. For me, it was a very embarrassing moment...he said he cried when he took a morning jog downtown. He asked, "Can't you do something about it?" The room was silent.

I kept saying to myself, "Yes, we can do something and believe me our relatively small organization has done so much and continues to push on the issue of sustainable and affordable supportive housing, but we need support too."

I left the room reaffirming that people do what they want to do. I make no excuses. Either it happens or it doesn't--I don't need a song and dance, or the run around. EVERYONE'S time is valuable and while we wait, thousands remain homeless with our City's guest and company asking, "Why?" I think we know why, and that's where the silence lay. The mayor of the Japanese town also said that if there were so many disaster-related homeless in their town after an eruption, there would be so much political critique that the homeless would not remain much longer.

Why is it accepted here, but taboo there? That's a question I cannot answer....but I think it's time we all ask each other.

Thank you New Orleans for listening and sharing, and thank you Japan for opening my eyes and offering lessons-learned through centuries of disaster experience.