About Us

Who We Are

Civic Force was established in 2009 in response to large-scale disasters in Japan and to provide timely and effective emergency assistance through collaboration between companies, NPOs, and governments.

The 2004 Chuetsu Earthquake in Niigata, Japan prompted the founding of Civic Force. Building collaborative partnerships between various stakeholders during non-emergency times is key in delivering needed support to affected people in emergencies. Civic Force is committed to serving as a platform for such partnerships.

During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, Civic Force dispatched helicopters the day after the disaster hit to begin emergency assistance. This rapid deployment was made possible with over 300 million yen (US$ 2.7 million) that poured in within just three days. Businesses also stepped in and provided goods and logistical support. Since then, Civic Force has been responding to natural disasters all across Japan.

In December 2019, Civic Force participated in the establishment of the emergency disaster support project "Airborne Rescue and Relief Operations With Search” (ARROWS) and began building a more effective response mechanism to save more people.

Disasters occur every year. but Civic Force is prepared and ready to act. Thank you for your continuous support.

Executive DirectorNeki Kaori Executive DirectorNeki Kaori

Vision & Mission

VISION

Collaborate with one another and build a disaster resilient society through the power (“Force”) of civil society (“Civic”).

mission

To recognize the needs of each affected individual and provide timely and effective assistance.

Our Strategy

Civic Force is an organization that provides timely and effective emergency response and coordinates with the private sector, NGOs, and local governments in large-scale disasters. Leveraging each stakeholders’ strengths and resources, Civic Force delivers the most needed assistance to the affected areas. Civic Force also supports building a disaster-resilient society by connecting affected communities and sharing lessons learned and best practices.

Civic Force acts as a coordination body to leverage resources brought by the private sector, NGOs, and local governments.

Civic Force acts as a coordination body to leverage resources brought by the private sector, NGOs, and local governments.

Rapid and effective disaster response in Japan

Learn more

Our History

    • 2008

      APRIL

      Disaster Response Partners (currently Civic Force) established

    • 2009

      JANUARY

      Organization name change to Civic Force

      DECEMBER

      Civic Force becomes an incorporated organization

    • 2010

      JANUARY

      Haiti Earthquake Response Project

    • 2011

      MARCH

      Great East Japan Earthquake Conducted needs assessment via helicopter and provided emergency assistance

      Great East Japan Earthquake Conducted needs assessment via helicopter and provided emergency assistance

      SEPTEMBER

      “Asia-Pacific Disaster Assistance Summit” held in Tokyo

      NOVEMBER

      Established Tohoku Common Benefit Investment Fund (currently Common Benefit Investment Fund)

    • 2012

      JULY

      Northern Kyushu Heavy Rain Emergency Assistance Project

      AUGUST

      Philippines Floods Assistance Project

      OCTOBER

      A-PAD (Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management) established during the 5th Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction

      DECEMBER

      Philippines Typhoon Emergency Assistance Project

    • 2013

      FEBRUARY

      Awarded the JustGivingAward 2013

      Awarded the JustGivingAward 2013

      AUGUST

      Hiroshima Landslides Disaster Assistance Project

    • 2014

      AUGUST

      Hiroshima Landslides Disaster Assistance Project

      AUGUST

      Philippines Typhoon Emergency Assistance

    • 2015

      SEPTEMBER

      Kanto・Tohoku Heavy Rain Assistance Project

    • 2016

      APRIL

      Kumamoto Earthquake Assistance Project

    • 2017

      JULY

      Northern Kyushu Heavy Rain Assistance Project

      AUGUST

      Co-established Social Emergency Management Alliance (SEMA)

  • 2018

    JULY

    West Japan Floods Assistance Project

    SEPTEMBER

    Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake Assistance Project

  • 2019

    OCTOBER

    Typhoon Hagibis Response Assistance Project

    DECEMBER

    Co-established an emergency medical team project, Airborne Rescue and Relief Operations With Search (ARROWS)

    Co-established an emergency medical team project, Airborne Rescue and Relief Operations With Search (AAROWS)
  • 2020

    JANUARY

    COVID-19 Response Assistance Project

    JULY

    2020 July Heavy Rain Assistance Project (ongoing)

  • 2021

    JULY

    2021 July Heavy Rain Assistance Project (ongoing)

    AUGUST

    2021 August Heavy Rain Assistance Project (ongoing)

    AUGUST

    Civic Force merges with A-PAD Japan

At a Glance

Organization Name Civic Force
Established January 29, 2009
Chairperson Kaori Neki
Board of Directors Yasuhiko Kamiya, Yuichiro Sakamoto, Chie Hirao, Yasuo Mashimo
Controller Hiroshi Araki
Executive Director Kaori Neki
HQ

2-41-12-2F Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063
TEL:03-5790-9366 FAX: 03-5790-9368

Saga Office 1-3-5-6F Matsubara, Saga, Saga 840-0831
TEL:0952-20-2900 FAX:0952-20-1608
E-mail info#civic-force.org
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