International Recovery Platform

This report, published two weeks after the Great East Japan (Tohoku-Kanto) earthquake and tsunami, provides a synthesis of certain existing data and a basic situation analysis of the situation. It considers the major challenge posed to the disaster risk reduction community by: (i) the earthquake; (ii) the tsunami; (ii) the ongoing nuclear emergency; and (iv) the fires, in terms of damage to (v) human life and (vi) infrastructure. It then focuses on the after event period, especially on the search and rescue operation, as well as on shelters. It also considers the economic impact and the work of volunteers.

This article, from a Professor of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, assesses the impacts of the recent earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, highlighting the success of the seismic damage mitigation efforts through strong

This special report analyses the situation in Japan following the 8.9 earthquake which spawned one of the most powerful tsunamis on record. It states that Japan is among the best prepared countries in the world regarding earthquakes with quake-resistant buildings, drills for school children and households equipped with survival kits. It specifically addresses the attempt to avert a meltdown at a stricken nuclear reactor and the expected colossal economic damage.