大規模な自然災害が発生した際に、国が被災地へ支援物資を供給する方法には、プッシュ型支援とプル型支援があります。プッシュ型支援では、被災地からの具体的な要請を待たずに、国が支援体制を構築し、予測に基づいて支援物資を供給します。これに対して、プル型支援は被災地の要求やニーズを把握し、それに基づいて物資を供給する方法です。具体的な大規模な自然災害としては、東日本大震災や熊本地震、平成30年7月豪雨、令和元年東日本台風が挙げられます。
このような災害後、被災地では電気、水道、ガス、道路などの基本的なインフラが長期間にわたり寸断され、被災住民は備蓄物資と支援物資で過ごすことが求められます。こうした状況に対応するため、国は支援物資の緊急輸送を2つのフェーズに分けて実施します。初動はプッシュ型支援と呼ばれ、その後の段階をプル型支援としています。
内容：
- プッシュ型支援
- プル型支援
- 過去の災害における支援物資輸送の課題
- 企業に求められる事前準備と災害時の動き
- 物資調達・輸送調整等支援システム
プッシュ型支援
災害が発生すると、インフラの停止や地方公共団体の機能低下があり、被災地からの要請を待たずに、関係省庁による支援体制の構築と支援物資の調達が開始されます。これがプッシュ型支援の初動です。被災地の状況やニーズを把握するのが難しいため、予測に基づいて物資を供給します。プッシュ型支援のメリットは物資を迅速に被災地に届けられることですが、被災者の要求を把握せずに送るため、過不足が生じる可能性があります。
プル型支援
プル型支援は、被災地の要求やニーズを捉え、それに基づいて物資を供給する方法です。被災した地方公共団体や避難所で必要な支援物資の情報を取りまとめ、都道府県を通じて国に要請し、物資が供給されます。災害後数日が経ち、各被災地で不足している物などの要求やニーズがわかるようになると、被災者が求めている支援物資を必要数届けることが可能になります。プル型支援のメリットは、要求やニーズを把握してから輸送するため、支援物資の過不足がなくなり、被災地域で無駄なく効率的に物資を使用できることです。ただし、被災後の混乱の中で避難所や地方公共団体で要求やニーズを集約することは困難であり、支援要請までに時間がかかるという課題も残っています。
過去の災害における支援物資輸送の課題
2016年の熊本地震では、支援物資の輸送に課題が浮き彫りになりました。広域物資輸送拠点に定められていた拠点が被災し、代わりとなる拠点の選定と受け入れ体制の整備に時間を要しました。
複数の広域物資輸送拠点で、規模や設備、立地が不適切であることが判明し、広域物資輸送拠点側でも保管や出入庫、在庫管理のノウハウが不足していたため、支援物資が滞留する事態も発生しました。2018年の西日本豪雨では、プッシュ型支援で輸送された物資の量が過剰で、消費しきれない状況も発生しました。これらの経験を受けて、国と地方公共団体は円滑な支援物資輸送体制を構築し、支援物資を避難所まで確実に届けるための手順を整理する「ラストマイルにおける支援物資輸送・拠点開設・運営ハンドブック」が2019年に作成されました。
さらに、物資調達・輸送調整等支援システムが2020年に運用開始され、令和2年7月の豪雨で初めて活用されました。このシステムにより、被災地域の物資ニーズや在庫情報を一元的に管理・共有できるため、支援物資の過不足やミスマッチを解消し、迅速で無駄のない物資供給が期待されます。
現在、毎年のように全国各地で自然災害が頻発し、企業や自治体は災害に備えた事前準備や訓練を行う必要があります。物資調達・輸送調整等支援システムの活用や、災害時における効率的な物資供給手順の確認は、被災者への迅速なサポートに繋がります。
When a large-scale natural disaster occurs, there are two methods through which a country can supply relief goods to the affected areas: push-type assistance and pull-type assistance. Major natural disasters refer to events such as large earthquakes like the Great East Japan Earthquake or the Kumamoto Earthquake, and severe weather disasters like the heavy rainfall in July 2018 (Western Japan Floods) or the Typhoon No. 19 in the first year of Reiwa.
In the aftermath of such disasters, critical infrastructure like electricity, water, gas, and roads is often disrupted for an extended period. The affected residents rely on stockpiled and relief supplies as household and local government reserves are depleted within the first few days. Consequently, the government initiates a two-phase emergency transport system for life-saving relief supplies, dividing it into push-type assistance in the initial phase and pull-type assistance in the later phase, adapting to the progression of time.
Contents:
- Push-Type Assistance
- Pull-Type Assistance
- Challenges in Relief Supply Transport during Past Disasters
- Expectations and Actions for Companies in Preparedness and Disaster Response
- Relief Goods Procurement and Transport Coordination System
Push-Type Assistance
Immediately after a disaster, when infrastructure is disrupted and local government functions are impaired, relevant ministries and agencies start building a support system and initiate the procurement and supply of relief supplies without waiting for specific requests from the affected prefectures. This initial phase is referred to as push-type assistance. It typically occurs within the first 4 to 7 days after the disaster (although this depends on the nature and scale of the disaster and the condition of the infrastructure). During this phase, support is provided based on predictions, as specific requests from the affected area are challenging to obtain promptly.
Due to the difficulty in assessing the situation and relief needs immediately after the disaster, relief supplies are sent to the affected region based on predictions of what might be needed. Information on the number of affected people and delivery locations is gathered as much as possible, and essential supplies such as basic eight items (food, blankets, infant formula, diapers, adult diapers, portable toilets, toilet paper, and sanitary products) are urgently transported.
The affected prefectures establish material reception points (wide-area material transport points) to receive support supplies. Once the receiving system on the affected side is ready, transport is carried out to the wide-area material transport points based on pre-determined transport plans. From these wide-area points, supplies are allocated to local material points (community material transport points) and then delivered to various evacuation sites.
The advantage of push-type assistance is the rapid delivery of supplies to the affected areas, ensuring essential goods reach the population quickly. However, the disadvantage lies in sending supplies without accurately understanding the demands of the affected population, leading to potential shortages or excesses.
Pull-Type Assistance
Pull-type assistance involves supplying goods to the affected area based on specific needs and requests. Information on required relief supplies is compiled at the affected local governments and evacuation centers, forwarded through prefectures to the national government, and goods are then supplied accordingly.
Several days after the disaster, as needs and requests become apparent in each affected area, it becomes possible to deliver the exact amount of supplies required. This approach ensures accurate provision based on the needs of the affected population. However, the challenge lies in the difficulty of aggregating demands in the chaos immediately after the disaster, resulting in a delay in the request for assistance.
Challenges in Relief Supply Transport during Past Disasters
During the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016, challenges in the transport of relief supplies were highlighted. The designated points for wide-area material transport were affected, and the selection and preparation of alternative points took time. Several wide-area material transport points were found to be unsuitable in terms of scale, facilities, and location. Additionally, these points lacked expertise in storage, warehousing, and inventory management, leading to delays and stockpiling of relief supplies.
The Western Japan Floods in 2018 also showcased issues with excess supply due to push-type assistance, echoing challenges observed during the Kumamoto Earthquake. On the other hand, individual relief items sent directly to affected areas were often poorly organized, making sorting and management labor-intensive and hindering efficient distribution.
In response to these challenges, efforts were made to address issues such as the selection of alternative wide-area material transport points, promotion of agreements with private logistics experts, and organizing methods for utilizing private material points based on their characteristics.
Furthermore, experiences from the Kumamoto Earthquake and Western Japan Floods have been used to develop and introduce the "Last-Mile Support for Relief Material Transport, Point Establishment, and Operation Handbook" in March 2019, aiming to facilitate smooth and reliable transport of relief supplies to evacuation sites during the final stages.
Expectations and Actions for Companies in Preparedness and Disaster Response
As mentioned earlier, companies are expected to confirm their readiness for material procurement and transport in the event of a disaster. The items supplied to the affected prefectures during push-type assistance mainly include food (primarily non-cooked food), blankets, infant formula or liquid milk for infants, diapers for infants and adults, portable toilets, toilet paper, and sanitary products.
In recent years, frequent natural disasters have occurred nationwide, emphasizing the importance of efficient and effective response mechanisms from both companies and local governments. To ensure a swift and smooth delivery of relief supplies to victims, companies are encouraged to prepare and train for the potential challenges posed by such crises.
Relief Goods Procurement and Transport Coordination System
The Relief Goods Procurement and Transport Coordination System is a tool designed to support the procurement and transport of relief supplies by the national government and local public entities. This system allows for the centralized management and sharing of information related to the needs, quantities, and transportation status of relief supplies in disaster-stricken areas.
Implemented in April 2020, the system was first utilized during the heavy rainfall in July 2020. The ability to register information in advance, such as the stock levels at evacuation sites, allows for the quick assessment of the material inventory in disaster-stricken areas. However, some local governments faced challenges in inputting information due to manpower shortages, indicating room for improvement in the system's usage.
In conclusion, the combination of push-type and pull-type assistance, along with the implementation of an effective Relief Goods Procurement and Transport Coordination System, aims to enhance the overall efficiency and accuracy of delivering relief supplies during large-scale natural disasters. Continuous improvements and preparedness efforts are crucial for addressing the challenges observed in past incidents and ensuring a prompt and effective response in future disasters.