Sudan: Mine Risk Education Resumed in Kosti in White Nile State

Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR JAPAN) has been providing mine risk education in Kadugli District, South Kordofan in Sudan since 2007. This past June, however, a violent gunfight broke out between the Sudanese government army and rebel groups. During that crisis, AAR JAPAN’s office was looted, and we were forced to suspend our activities. Fortunately, however, all AAR JAPAN’s staff members were in the end safe and unharmed. Even after the independence of South Sudan on July 9^th, armed conflict did not cease, making it difficult for us to continue our activities. As such, we moved our operations from Kadugli to Kosti in White Nile State, 400 kilometers northeast of Kadugli and 300 kilometers south of the capital city of Khartoum.

Kosti, Town Where Returnees Stop by

A fully-loaded ferry leaving for South Sudan

East Africa: AAR JAPAN Distributes Food and Non-Food Items in Mwingi, Kenya

In August 2011, AAR JAPAN launched its emergency relief activities in drought-affected Kenya. So far, we have been distributing food and non-food items in Garissa District (North Eastern Province), and have set up several large tents to be used as classrooms at an elementary school in the refugee camp of Dadaab, close to the border with Somalia. Equipment such as blackboards, chalk and notebooks were also provided to the school. However, in October, two aid workers of an international NGO were kidnapped at the refugee camp, and in November, Garissa District recorded several incidents of grenade explosions. As it became increasingly difficult to secure the safety of our staff, AAR JAPAN decided to shift activities to Mwingi District (about 150 km west of Garissa) where we carried out a food distribution in the Kyuso region.

November 30^th, 2011 - Food distribution in Kyuso (Mwingi District). Pictured on the left is AAR JAPAN field staff Chiya NAGASHIMA.

Priority on Elderly People and Persons with Disabilities

More than half of Kenya's territory is composed of semi-arid and arid landscapes. Kyuso Division in Mwingi District is one of these regions that are heavily affected by the arid climate and the impact of the recent drought there is particularly high. In the past year, there was only one substantial rainfall in Kyuso. With livestock and farming being the main income sources for the majority of the population, many have lost their means of making a living by now. In addition to the drought preventing people from growing crops, food prices up to twice as high as usual make it difficult for them to get hold of food. This is why AAR JAPAN decided to distribute food and non-food items at two locations (Maseki and Kiseuni) in Kyuso. 500 households in total benefited from the distribution, which took place on November 30^th, 2011. Priority was given to households with elderly people and persons with disabilities.

Kauki KITHEKA (81) for example lives in a household of 10, including her children and grandchildren. Her son had been earning his living as a farmer, but the drought has made it hard for him and the family to survive. The last time they received aid from another organization was in September, and after that, there had been no distribution of food or other items. “The food we have received today from AAR JAPAN really makes a difference”, Kauki said. “I can’t believe you have come all the way from Japan for us! Thank you!”

November 30^th, 2011 - Kauki KITHEKA (right) and her daughter Sumiti KIUNI (middle) welcomed AAR JAPAN field staff Chiya NAGASHIMA. Both ladies are visually impaired. (Maseki Settlement in Kyuso, Mwingi District)

The following items were distributed in Mwingi (per household): rice (10kg), spaghetti (2kg), wheat flour (3kg), beans (3kg), sugar (1kg), salt (500g), cooking oil (1l), tomato paste (2 cans), tea leaves (500g), bucket (1), jerry can (1), sanitary pads for women (1 pack), soap (3), plastic sheet (1).

Continued Support for a Better Drought Preparedness

After the start of the rainy season in October, cultivation of food staple “maize” (a type of grain) has resumed, with crops being expected for January. And January is also when the next dry season is to start… It takes time for the grain to grow, and no one can bring back the cattle that have died. Drought is affecting people’s lives constantly.

In the last 10 years, East Africa has been hit 3 times by severe drought. Individuals as well as communities have reached the limit of their capability to cope with it. To help mitigate the damage of droughts to come, AAR JAPAN is planning to engage in the consolidation of water supply systems and the installation of water tanks. Our field staff is currently conducting an assessment on site for the new project. Your continued support is much appreciated!

November 30^th, 2011 - Kyambi KITOUYO (66) lives with his son and 2 grandchildren. “We had 5 goats, but all of them have died”, he says. (Kyuso Division, Mwingi District)

November 30^st, 2011 – The family of James MUSYOKA (to the right, 77) has 13 members: James and his wife, his son, his son’s wife, and 9 grandchildren. “Because of the drought, food prices have gone up and we can’t afford food. Every month we receive 4kg of maize from the government, but it’s just not enough”, he explains. (Kyuso Division, Mwingi District)

November 30^st, 2011 – People waiting in line for the distribution, joined by AAR JAPAN staff Hiromi KAWANO (Kyuso Division, Mwingi District)

November 30st, 2011 – Lady using a “Kanga” (traditional Kenyan cloth) to carry the supplies received (Kyuso Division, Mwingi District)

Chiya NAGASHIMA, AAR JAPAN Nairobi Office

Has been working in Kenya since October 2011. After graduating from a university in the United States with a degree of Business Administration, worked 5 years for a company in Japan. Before joining AAR JAPAN, had worked in Cambodia for an NGO against child trafficking and child labor. 

Japan: Donation of Generators to Persons with Disabilities Using Artificial Respirators

Artificial Respirators – Lifeline during Power Outages

In the aftermath of this year’s earthquake, persons with disabilities (PWDs) requiring the use of artificial respirators are facing dire circumstances, especially while power outages are long or frequent. In other words, their lives are immediately placed in danger without a power source to keep their artificial respirators operating.

October 21^st, 2011- AAR JAPAN delivered a household generator that runs on a natural gas can to the home of Mana, a 5 year old CWD that cannot do without an artificial respirator. Second from the right is her mother Noriko NAGAURA, and leftmost is Jan Gruss from action medeor, a German relief organization that helped fund this project. (Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture)

Cambodia: We Are Continuing Our Relief Activities to Support Those Affected by the Floods

Reaching Out to the Victims Whose Farmlands Have Been Struck Hard

December 15^th, 2011- Noriyasu OKAYAMA (back left) of the AAR JAPAN Vientiane office greets the flood victims before the distribution of relief supplies (Siem Reap, Chreav)

AAR JAPAN has been continuing its emergency relief activities in response to the flooding in Cambodia. Specifically targeting those who had not received assistance yet from anywhere else, we distributed food items and daily necessities to 401 families and 400 families on December 15^th and 22^nd respectively in the province of Siem Reap, where the damages caused by the floods have been serious. After our 9^th distribution activity, we have now delivered relief supplies to a total of 1,851 families.

Cambodia: We Are Delivering Relief Supplies to Those Affected by the Floods

We Have Delivered Food and Non-food Items to Approximately 750 Families

AAR JAPAN has been engaging in emergency relief activities to support those affected by the floods in Cambodia. Following the first distribution on November 15^th, we distributed food and non-food items to 367 families on December 1^st and 383 families and December 8^th in Siem Reap.

Turkey: We Will Resume Our Relief Activities for the Earthquake Survivors in Turkey

AAR JAPAN (Shinagawa, Tokyo = Yukie OSA, President) has decided to resume its relief activities that had been previously carried out in eastern Turkey in response to the earthquake that occurred on October 23^rd.

Japan: Nine Months after the Great East Japan Earthquake: Activity Report

Bringing People in the Disaster-Affected Areas a Warm and Happy New Year



November 11^th, 2011 – AAR JAPAN delivers portable power generators to children who need respiratory devices at Iwate Ryoiku Center. (Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture)

 AAR JAPAN has been carrying out relief efforts for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake since the immediate aftermath of the disaster. In addition to delivering emergency supplies to those who have limited access to aid, such as persons with disabilities and the elderly, AAR JAPAN is also repairing welfare facilities and providing vehicles for facilities for persons with disabilities.

Turkey: Report on Mr. MIYAZAKI’s Memorial Service - Words from Ms. Keiko MIYAZAKI

On Tuesday, December 6^th, Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI’s memorial service was held at Nippon-Seinenkan (Shinjuku Tokyo). Over 222 people were present at the service, including Mr. MIYAZAKI’s family, Mr. Ali BABACAN, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Kazuyuki HAMADA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, representatives from Turkey, supporters, friends of Mr. MIYAZAKI, and representatives of NGOs. We also received many messages of condolence and flower offerings. We would like to thank those who attended and also those who made this memorial service possible.

Below is the message from Ms. Keiko MIYAZAKI, the mother of Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI.

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I would like to thank the people of both Turkey and Japan for keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. We have received countless messages of condolence and both my heart and Atsushi’s heart are too full for words. I am brought to tears thinking about how much Atsushi loved Turkey and seeing him engaging in relief activities with the AAR JAPAN staff members.

I believe that this is what Atsushi would have said:

“From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank everyone in Turkey and all AAR JAPAN staff members for rescuing me and returning me to my mother. I hope that my life can lead to the strengthening of ties between Japan and Turkey, and furthermore make a contribution to creating world peace.”

Atsushi was a person who always helped others and worked hard so that others can be at ease. Ever since he joined AAR JAPAN, he was full of hope, being surrounded by such great people, saying that, “I’m having a great time here because we all share a common passion.”

I truly believe that he would have liked to continue the relief activities in Turkey. Now was the time.

I am certain that he is wishing from heaven that the circle to help refugees will continue to grow.

Finally, I would like to thank the Turkish people for the countless messages of condolence. Thank you.

I would like to thank the AAR JAPAN staff for planning such a wonderful memorial service, and extend my gratitude to everyone who attended.

Turkey: Report on Mr. MIYAZAKI’s Memorial Service - Words of Condolence from Yumeka OTA

On Tuesday, December 6^th, Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI’s memorial service was held at Nippon-Seinenkan (Shinjuku Tokyo). Over 222 people were present at the service, including Mr. MIYAZAKI’s family, Mr. Ali BABACAN, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Kazuyuki HAMADA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, representatives from Turkey, supporters, friends of Mr. MIYAZAKI, and representatives of NGOs. We also received many messages of condolence and flower offerings. We would like to thank those who attended and also those who made this memorial service possible.

Below is the words of condolence from Yumeka OTA.

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Dearest Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI,

On behalf of all of the staff members of AAR JAPAN, I would like to send these words of farewell to you.

Mr. MIYAZAKI, I still cannot believe that I am having to say goodbye to you like this, nor have I been able to completely organize my thoughts and feelings. It feels as if at any moment, you are going to unexpectedly reappear in front of us like nothing ever happened.

Whenever I think about you, you were always full of smiles, whether we were at the Tokyo office or in Turkey. I can recall the sight of you happily stuffing yourself with the delicious Turkish meals that we were served by the local people. I also remember you shyly laughing while saying, “This is the third time being told this,” when the children at the Turkish village called you Jackie Chan. When we distributed meat to the earthquake survivors living in tents for the Islamic celebration of sacrifice, many children followed us with big smiles on their faces. I remember you waving goodbye to them until the moment they left our sight. Although we were so busy during our emergency assistance activities, you were always hardworking, calm, and caring. There were even times when we seriously argued about the future of AAR JAPAN. Thank you so much for all of the countless wonderful memories.

During our activities, I learned so much from you, Ms. KONNAI, and even from the Turkish people that we were supposed to have been supporting. Everyday was a learning experience and I cannot thank everyone enough. “We must continue helping the earthquake survivors. They need us. Let’s do everything we could possibly do while we’re here,” you said. On November 10^th, the following day of the earthquake, you had planned to continue distributing relief supplies at a village in Van. The earthquake struck right when you were making final plans for the distribution preparation, like going over the arrangements with the village chief and vendors and communicating with Tokyo headquarters through your laptop computer.

No words can describe our shock of losing you, Mr. MIYAZAKI, a valuable colleague and a friend. I wish we could have worked together more.

Mr. MIYAZAKI, we will always remember your dedication to the work that we do and continue our activities. I hope that you are kindly watching over us.

December 6^th, 2011

AAR JAPAN

Yumeka OTA

Turkey: Report on Mr. MIYAZAKI’s Memorial Service - Words of Condolence from Mr Servay Ekinoğlu

On Tuesday, December 6^th, Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI’s memorial service was held at Nippon-Seinenkan (Shinjuku Tokyo). Over 222 people were present at the service, including Mr. MIYAZAKI’s family, Mr. Ali BABACAN, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Kazuyuki HAMADA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, representatives from Turkey, supporters, friends of Mr. MIYAZAKI, and representatives of NGOs. We also received many messages of condolence and flower offerings. We would like to thank those who attended and also those who made this memorial service possible.

Below is the words of condolence from Mr. Serbay Ekinoğlu.

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Dear Miyazaki-san,

A famous writer once said “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give”.

I think this is the best sentence that explains your personality. You were the one who came to Turkey to help the earthquake victims all the way from Japan.  You were the one who went to the poorest villages just to find the victims who are in need of help the most.

During the period you were in Van, you personally tried to contact people, even learnt some Turkish words from your Turkish book and treated everybody in a nice, caring way.

You cared about giving more than getting.  In return you were able to have a good night sleep, thinking about your good deeds until the night of November 9th.

I also want to tell some nice anecdotes that we had.  2 days before the sad event we went to the barber shop to get your hair cut.  We tried hard to convince you as your hair got really long there, even when you were wearing the AAR cap your hair was coming everywhere out of the cap.  Finally you said okay let’s go.  And then You, Miyuki, I, and the driver, whom you called “Babam” (meaning “my father” in Turkish) went there and you took your glasses out and sat there to have the hair cut.  When the barber started you were first little excited not knowing how the barber will cut the hair.  I told you: “Miyazaki-san, don’t worry I will tell him to do it good and you will be handsome at the end”.  After some time the barber turned to me and asked if you were sleeping as you weren’t saying anything just standing still.  After that you said that you are not sleeping but you can’t see without your glasses.  So it was a total surprise for you at the end how your hair would look.  Anyway, you and everybody liked your new hair style.  And Babam (the driver) even said that he should find you a Turkish woman to marry and you said that you would love that.

You liked this idea as you would want to live in Turkey and as you also loved the Turkish food there.

We had some nice plans.  You were going to come to Izmir, where I live and I was going to show you beautiful stuff in Izmir introducing you as a rich Japanese businessman.

But unfortunately you left the world too early.

You were an honest, hardworking man with a great sense of humor.

In closing I would like to tell condolences of the whole of Turkey. We are sad not to have you with us anymore.

I wish strength and patience to your family and to all your beloved ones. We share their grief.

Atsushi Miyazaki, thank you for being part of our lives.  We are all going to miss you.           

Arigato

December 6^th, 2011

Serbay Ekinoğlu 

Turkey: Report on Mr. MIYAZAKI’s Memorial Service - Words of Condolence from Fusako YANASE

On Tuesday, December 6^th, Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI’s memorial service was held at Nippon-Seinenkan (Shinjuku Tokyo). Over 222 people were present at the service, including Mr. MIYAZAKI’s family, Mr. Ali BABACAN, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Kazuyuki HAMADA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, representatives from Turkey, supporters, friends of Mr. MIYAZAKI, and representatives of NGOs. We also received many messages of condolence and flower offerings. We would like to thank those who attended and also those who made this memorial service possible.

Below is the words of condolence from Fusako YANASE, Chairperson of AAR JAPAN.


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Dear Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI,

One month is about to pass by since you left us.

It is a rule of life that all living things must come to an end and all people must part ways. What a privilege it is to believe that tomorrow will always come, and to take for granted our loved ones who we assume will forever be right beside us with their unchanging hearts. Your death has been extremely difficult to accept, and I have been reminded of how harsh reality can be these past few months.

One early afternoon in late October, we had lunch together in Tokyo. I remember it was a relatively warm day despite being well into the month.

Faintly blushing, you said to me, “I will head to Turkey tomorrow.” It was immediately after AAR JAPAN decided to send emergency relief team to eastern Turkey in response to the massive earthquake that struck on October 23^rd. It had only been 2, 3 months since you joined AAR JAPAN, but you had already made yourself into a vital team member at the office and you worked hard each and every day with so much joy.

“It has always been my dream to join AAR JAPAN and work abroad,” I recall you saying.

Having been with AAR JAPAN for the past 32 years, that word “dream” you voiced was rather refreshing and heartwarming. I was reassured that everything was going to be okay and I held high expectations of you.

Mr. MIYAZAKI, you always carried a wonderful smile. Anyone who had the pleasure to meet you would instantly open up to you. I’m sure it was the same in Turkey, as I have been told that the Turkish people immediately welcomed you with opens arms and open hearts.

After meeting your mother and the rest of your family for the first time, I knew straight away where you got your kind disposition. You have been blessed with such wonderful family members.

Upon achieving your dream of studying in the United Kingdom, you returned to Japan and for several years helped look after your father who had suffered a stroke. After the third anniversary of your father’s passing, you left your home in Oita Prefecture and joined us at AAR JAPAN in Tokyo.

Your first assignment at AAR JAPAN was to provide relief activities in Rikuzen-takata City in Iwate Prefecture, an area severely affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Kojuen, the facility for the elderly that you visited, was located on a small hill in Rikuzen-takata City.

The building of Kojuen shook numerous times for long hours on March 11^th.  The elderly people there supposedly froze in state of shock, were unable to move, and frantically cried in fear.

The elderly people endured many days without gas, electricity, and water, and survived through the cold and hunger inside the destroyed facility. AAR JAPAN immediately carried out extensive relief activities at Kojuen such as reconstruction of the facility and provision of fuel and gasoline.

Mr. MIYAZAKI, as a member of the relief team, you accomplished so much in providing them support and saving their lives. I am certain that you made good use of your past experience nursing your ill father, as you tightly held the elderly survivors’ hands and lent them your ears.

When you returned to Tokyo and we had lunch together, I remember speaking to you about how a number of countries including Turkey sent relief to Japan following the disaster, and how important it is for each country to cooperate and help one and another.

That is when you also mentioned that you were so grateful of the Turkish people and their actions inspired you to go to disaster-stricken Turkey to repay the favor as a Japanese citizen. You demonstrated so much passion and dependability.

However, on November 9^th, you were attacked by what was thought to be an aftershock while staying in a hotel in Van, a major city in eastern Turkey.

It happened in the evening while you were facing your laptop computer, writing a report to Tokyo headquarters. We were informed that you had been buried under the rubbles along with your fellow colleague, Ms. Miyuki KONNAI.

Initially, we let out a sigh of relief after hearing that both you and Ms. KONNAI were rescued; however, the tragic news followed shortly afterwards.

Despite it being an aftershock, 36 precious lives, including yours, were taken away in this incident. A close colleague of yours, a Turkish volunteer who you had befriended during the short time, was the one who notified us.

Your two friends, Mr. Serbay Ekinoğlu and Ms. Ayşegül Başer, are here today on behalf of the citizens of Van who passed away. Thank you very much.

All of us at the office in Meguro, Tokyo continued our prayers into the late hours, waiting for more information from your friends and hoping for your safety and survival. However, there was nothing we could do but to let our heads down in moment of silence.

We have received countless words of condolence and encouragement from around the nation.

In addition to Mr. Abdullah Gül, the President of Turkey, sending his words of condolence to the Emperor of Japan, the Turkish government and all of Turkish people have been mourning your loss, expressing their sympathy, and praying that you rest in peace.

Coming all the way from disaster-stricken Japan to assist the earthquake survivors in Turkey and subsequently getting involved in this tragic accident, they would like to express their sincerest appreciation and apology to you.

For your return home to Japan, the Turkish government prepared a jet for you and a cordial ceremony was held by the guards at the airport. Many important people including the Japanese ambassador gathered to send you off, and the national flag of Japan was placed on your coffin.

When the jet arrived in Japan, the captain and the rest of the crew members of Turkish Airlines completed their mission of sending you back to your home country with their utmost care and respect.

As a symbol of their appreciation, the Turkish people have decided to place your name on a memorial hospital and a park in Istanbul and a statue will also be built in your honor.

Today, at this very place, Mr. Kazuyuki HAMADA, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kazuhiko KOSHIKAWA, the Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau, and Mr. Matahiro YAMAGUCHI, the Director of the Non-Governmental Organizations Cooperation Division, have gathered to pay their respect, in addition to 18 visitors from Turkey including Mr. Ali Babacan, the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, and Tunç Angili, the Charge d’Affairs of the Turkish Embassy.

Mr. MIYAZAKI, your courageous deeds in Turkey, which you have quite literally dedicated your life to, have made significant contributions to the mutual understanding and cooperation between Japan and Turkey. In my eyes, you have built a forever-lasting bridge between the two countries.

Here, I vow to you that AAR JAPAN will take after your beliefs and carry on our activities with much strength and determination. I truly hope that you will watch over us and continue to encourage your colleagues from up above. I believe that you will provide us the ambition to aim higher, the courage to step forward, and the power to persist.

Finally, Mr. MIYAZAKI, I would like to send you off by commending you for your outstanding work and expressing my utmost respect and gratitude to you.

I pray that you rest in peace.

Thank you, Mr. MIYAZAKI.

December 6^th, 2011

Association for Aid and Relief Japan

Fusako YANASE

Chairperson of AAR JAPAN

Turkey: Report on Mr. MIYAZAKI’s Memorial Service - Words of Condolence from Mr. Ali BABACAN

On Tuesday, December 6^th, Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI’s memorial service was held at Nippon-Seinenkan (Shinjuku Tokyo). Over 222 people were present at the service, including Mr. MIYAZAKI’s family, Mr. Ali BABACAN, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Kazuyuki HAMADA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, representatives from Turkey, supporters, friends of Mr. MIYAZAKI, and representatives of NGOs. We also received many messages of condolence and flower offerings. We would like to thank those who attended and also those who made this memorial service possible.

Below is the words of condolence from Mr. Ali BABACAN, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey. 


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On November 10^th, 2011, Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI unfortunately passed away when a building collapsed following an aftershock. It was extremely heartbreaking to be notified of this tragedy. On behalf of all Turkish citizens, I would like to convey my sincerest condolences to Mr. MIYAZAKI’s family as well as to the Japanese citizens, and send my prayers to Mr. MIYAZAKI.

His commitment to assist the earthquake victims in Van Province is a genuine representation of the historic friendship between Turkey and Japan. The placing of the Turkish national flag on Mr. MIYAZAKI at the time of his departure from this world was an extremely meaningful act for us. With Mr. MIYAZAKI in our hearts, and always bearing in mind that the most important thing for the two countries’ relationship is true friendship between their citizens, we are tasked with the mission to strive forward.

I am certain that Mr. MIYAZAKI’s selfless act will forever be remembered by the citizens of both nations. I pray that his gentle soul rests in peace.

I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the Japanese government and the Japanese people for their great amount of support following the disaster in Van. Today, I stand before all of you as well as the spirit of Mr. MIYAZAKI, and express my deepest condolences to his family.

Japan: We Have Set Up Trailers in the Effort to Revive a Shopping Street in Rikuzen-takata City

In collaboration with international journalist Mr. Izuru SUGAWARA, AAR JAPAN is currently spearheading a project of delivering ready-to-build prefabricated container housing units in the disaster-affected areas of the Tohoku region. 30 trailers have already been put up in Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture, which a part of them is being used as the “Onagawa Trailer Shopping Street”. Since then, AAR JAPAN has received requests for trailers from various parts of the Tohoku region. With the support from Roland Berger, Inc., 8 trailers will be delivered to a shopping street in Rikuzen-Takata City, Iwate Prefecture.

We Want to Restore a Shopping Street Where People Can Gather

October 20^th, 2011- “The Pine Tree of Hope” overlooks the disaster-stricken city of Rikuzen-takata.

Sri Lanka: Delivering Wheelchairs to Persons with Disabilities in Flood-Affected Areas

Persons with Disabilities Forced to Live Under Difficult Circumstances Due to the Civil War and Floods

From the end of 2010 to the beginning of 2011, approximately 1,000,000 people have been affected by the massive flooding in eastern Sri Lanka. AAR JAPAN dispatched an emergency support team from its Tokyo Headquarters office and distributed food and essential non-food items to a total of approximately 1,600 families.

Zambia: We Are Supporting Children Who Have Lost Their Parents Due to HIV/AIDS

Life Expectancy of 46 Years - 690,000 Orphans Estimated to Have Lost Their Parents

Mika YAMAI of AAR JAPAN’s Zambia office with students of an anti-HIV/AIDS club in Chipapa.

Japan: A Sincere “ARIGATO” for Your Support of AAR JAPAN’s Great East Japan Earthquake Relief Activities

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami struck the northern regions of Japan on March 11^th 2011, AAR JAPAN has been receiving material donations, financial funding and logistical assistance on an unprecedented scale, both domestically and internationally.

Our endeavors to aid the disaster victims are still in progress, but at this time we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to those individuals and organizations that have generously extended their helping hands. Without them, relief activities carried out in the areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami would never have been possible. AAR JAPAN is committed to continuing to direct all the support received from our donors to the disaster victims in the most effective and efficient ways possible.

Our international supporters, in alphabetical order, as of November 21st: