Researchers from the UP Resilience Institute (UP RI) Education Division and Institution Building (IB) Division attended the 8th APRU Multi-Hazards Summer School 2023 last July 24-27, 2023, at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Three researchers, (1) Daffodil Cleto (SRS II), (2) Monica Mendoza (SRS I), and (3) Lea Serrano (SRS II), were supported by the UP Office of International Linkages and UP Resilience Institute with the Summer School program.

They were greeted at the IRIDeS Tohoku University with other international participants from Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Israel, and Mexico. The President of Tohoku University, Pres. Hideo Ohno, and Professor Shinichi Kuriyama of the IRIDeS gave their welcoming address on behalf of the university and IRIDes to officially welcome the participants. Ms. Adriana Rojas, APRU Secretariat, gave the opening remarks.

The 1st day of Summer School was a seminar on the lessons learned from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Prof. Osamu Murao (IRIDeS) lectured on the recovery from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the challenges for the future. Through a documentary movie, the participants were able to watch 3D statements and experiences of various earthquake and tsunami survivors.
Prof. Julia Gerser anchored her discussion on the 3.11 disaster memory through disaster museums. She highlighted the importance of informing people of the 3.11 disaster. In this way, knowledge, awareness, and experiences are passed down. Prof. Shinichi Egawa (IRIDeS) expounded his discussion on health management in disaster. He shared how disaster medical practitioners address the needs of disaster victims.
Lastly, Prof. John Morris (IRIDeS), Prof. Yuichi Ebina (IRIDeS), and Prof. Machiko Kamiyama (IRIDeS) tackled “The Human Dimension in Disaster Research: Case Studies of History and Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Benefit Everyone”. Prof. Morris shared his experiences with saving materials from the 3.11 tsunami. He showed an exhibit of these salvaged materials which he narrated to play a vital role for future generations, survivors, and victims of the 3.11 disaster. Prof. Kamiyama shared the story of a 3.11 survivor and how he transformed the remnants of his house into a platform to share disaster awareness.

This news article is part of the APRU Multi-Hazards Summer School Series.
View the other articles below:
APRU Multi-Hazards Summer School Day 3: Earthquake Research and Resilience Building
Article written by Ms. Daffodil Cleto of UP Resilience Institute Institution Building