Laos - First Aid Training for Injuries Caused by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Developing an Emergency Medical Service System

AAR JAPAN is working for enhancing the level of emergency medical care for unexploded ordnance (UXO) survivors in Xieng Khouang Province in northern Laos. AAR JAPAN is operating training for strengthening the level of first aid in village and transportation to hospitals. The training, offered to village health volunteers in 93 villages throughout the province, aims to decrease the number of deaths caused by UXO and reduce the likelihood of permanent disabilities arising from UXO-related accidents.

In March 2011, AAR JAPAN implemented “TOT: Training of Trainers” for medical practitioners. This included doctors and nurses at district hospitals, who will go on to teach village health volunteers. AAR JAPAN developed the training materials and offered lectures and hands-on practice with first aid skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and hemostasis, as well as detailing precautions for transportation to hospitals and preventing infectious diseases, with the participants learning training methodologies that will allow them to effectively pass on their knowledge. The participants were highly dedicated and enthusiastic, saying that they were pleased to learn new first aid techniques, and excited about teaching village health volunteers.

The medical practitioners who participated in the training session will now go on to offer training to villages in order to strengthen the emergency medical service system in village level.

Members of AAR JAPAN’s Xieng Khuang office who organized the training session. Third from left is Yumiko YAMASHITA, and at right is Yoko HAYASHI, both of AAR JAPAN.

Yumiko YAMASHITA, a qualified nurse, outlines techniques for securing a clear airway.

Participants work diligently in an accident simulation. At right is Yoko HAYASHI of AAR JAPAN’s Xieng Khuang office.

Yumiko YAMASHITA (right) explains how to wrap a bandage.

Articles about the TOT program appeared in Vientiane Times, the national newspaper of Laos.

                                                                 Yumiko YAMASHITA, AAR JAPAN Xieng Khuang office

After graduation from university, she worked as a hospital nurse. She then learned health system management at graduate school in England before joining AAR JAPAN. She has been working in the Xieng Khuang office in Laos since October 2010. (Born in Chiba Prefecture.)

Relief Supplies Delivered to Families in Temporary Housing and Leased Housing in Fukushima

Relief Supplies Delivered to Roughly 17,500 Families

People in Fukushima Prefecture suffered not only from the March 11^th Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, but also from the resulting disaster at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant, with many survivors losing both their jobs and homes as they were forced to evacuate. Through funding from Japan Platform, and in cooperation with ADRA Japan, AAR JAPAN has begun to deliver relief supplies to the estimated 35,000 families living in temporary housing and leased housing in Fukushima.



             AAR JAPAN has offered aid to 13 municipalities. With about 17,500 families in the area, this represents half of the affected municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture

 

After the earthquake, AAR JAPAN delivered washing machines and driers for use in evacuation centers, as well as food, fuel, and bicycles in Soma City, Minami-soma City, and Shinchi Town in Fukushima Prefecture. In the course of our work, we received requests for aid to families living in temporary and leased housing from both the Fukushima Disaster Countermeasures Office and from the municipalities themselves. As a result, AAR JAPAN has offered aid to roughly 17,500 families in 13 municipalities, representing half of the affected municipalities in Fukushima.

AAR JAPAN is distributing household goods to complement the sets of 6 home appliances—such as washing machines, refrigerators, and televisions—that the Japanese Red Cross Society has offered to deliver in the affected areas. To contribute to regional economic recovery, AAR JAPAN is collaborating with local stores and the local Commerce and Industry Association to procure supplies. AAR JAPAN staff has visited each municipality to aid in coordination and reduce the workload on local municipal staff. AAR JAPAN plans to hire staff in the affected areas for procurement and delivery as well.

New Life After Evacuation Centers

        At the Tomioka Town Disaster Countermeasures Office, located at Big Pallette Fukushima in Kooriyama City. From right: Mr. Hiromichi WATANABE from the Disaster Countermeasures Office, Mr. Daigo TAKAGI from AAR JAPAN, Mr. Yoshito SAKAMOTO and Mr. Naohisa NAKAYAMA from the Tomioka Town Commerce and Industry Association.

The town of Tomioka was devastated by the March 11^th earthquake and tsunami.  Located within 20 km of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant, all of the town’s residents were forced to evacuate with the Tomioka governmental office, taking shelter in the event space in Kooriyama City. In the middle of June, evacuees began to move into roughly 1,500 temporary housing units that have been built in Kooriyama City, Miharu Town, Ootama Village, and other areas.

Mr. Hiromichi WATANABE of the Tomioka Town Disaster Countermeasures Office told us, “After three months of sleeping in hallways, everyone is exhausted. Now they’re a little relieved that they can move into temporary housing, but they’re worried about the future. I’m really thankful for the delivery of the supplies provided by AAR JAPAN.”

Soma City accepted evacuees from Minami-Soma City and Iitate Village in addition to people suffering from the tsunami’s more immediate devastation. 1,000 of planned 1,500 temporary housing units have been completed in the area, and AAR JAPAN is now delivering supplies to the evacuated families.

Mr. Koichi YOSHINO of Soma City Hall told us, “Thanks to the supplies provided by AAR JAPAN, we were able to offer something more than basic necessities to the families moving into temporary housing. Even though these families will be living in temporary housing, they’re worried about their futures, and we really appreciate AAR JAPAN’s assistance.” As of June 22^nd, AAR JAPAN has completed delivering supplies to 2,170 families.

       Temporary housing units in Kagamiishi Town.

       Relief supplies delivered in Shinchi Town

Delivery areas

Supplied have been delivered to 13 municipalities in the affected areas of Fukushima Prefecture: Kooriyama City, Shirakawa City, Sukagawa City, Soma City, Minami-soma City, Shinchi Town, Kagamiichi Town, Tomioka Town, Yabuki Town, Iitate Village, Izumisaki Village, Kawauchi Town, and Nishigo Village

Supplies

Delivered supplies include: Saucepans, frying pans, cutting boards, knives, Tupperware, kettles, bathing chairs, washbowls, bath mats, brooms, dustpans, clotheslines, dust cloths, dress hangers, vacuum cleaners, tables or Kotatsu (heated) tables, cupboards, etc.

※Supplies may differ depending on the municipality.

AAR JAPAN Contributes to the Psychological Care of Children in Soma City

In Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, AAR JAPAN has started to support the Soma Follower Team, which promotes the psychological care of children in the disaster area. The group aims to alleviate psychological damage to children in kindergarten, elementary and junior high school who lost their homes and their families. Clinical psychologists and health care workers visit schools and other education centers in Soma City in order to communicate with children and uncover signs of psychological scars.

In 1923, Yukika SOHMA, the founder of AAR JAPAN, married Yasutane SOHMA, the 32^nd family head of the SOHMA clan, which was based in the present-day Soma region.

To evacuees in Fukushima Prefecture:

Each municipality is in charge of delivering daily supplies to temporary housing and leased housing. The content and distribution of the supplies will vary by municipality. Please contact either your current municipality or your home municipality for details.

Daigo TAKAGI

AAR JAPAN staff since 2011. After graduating from a university, worked at a private company. Went to a postgraduate in Britain, then started working at AAR JAPAN.

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Thank-you Letters Have Arrived!

AAR JAPAN Receives Thank-you Letters from the Disaster Area

The following is a selection of thank-you letters written by survivors in areas where AAR JAPAN has been delivering relief supplies. We offer our sincerest gratitude to all of the supporters who have enabled our aid activities through financial donations, help with tote bags, and relief supplies.

Children drawing pictures on their thank-you letters.

Message: I received a big brick-red tote bag with camels and birds on it. With the warm support of everyone all over the country, I think we’ll be able to move forward step by step. Thank you very much.

From: Ando Elementary School, Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, where AAR JAPAN delivered handmade tote bags to survivors

Message: Thank you very much for the handmade bag. It will be useful for daily life, especially for shopping. My child really likes the rabbit key holder attached to the bag. I’m truly grateful for the warm support we’ve received from all over the country. Although we still have a long way to go, I will try my best to build off your assistance. Thank you very much.

From: Ando Elementary School, Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, where AAR JAPAN delivered handmade tote bags to survivors

Message: We made donuts from the flour and sugar you gave us. We all ate them together. We also gave donuts to people in evacuation centers, and it made them happy.

From: Asunaro Home, where persons with disabilities made donuts and postcards

Message: I am a mother of two, a 7-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter. They experienced the earthquake at a very susceptible age. At first we literally had nothing to eat, and it was a great effort just to make sure my children weren’t hungry. Now I am truly thankful for the support we are receiving from people all over the country. I’ve been especially pleased to get fresh vegetables, as they are essential for growing children. We’ve all been cooking delicious vegetable dishes together. Thank you very much, and I wish you all good health.

From: Hirota Elementary School, Rikuzen-takata City, Iwate Prefecture

Message: We are definitely going to rebuild. Thank you very much for your encouragement and support.

From: Former Tsuyagawa Elementary School, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture

Message: Thank you very much for your support. While once we had given up in despair, now we’re back on our feet, working together and making copies. This is thanks to your help, and I’m truly grateful. It’s heart-warming to know that if we don’t give up, a helping hand will find us.

From: Miyako City Welfare Center for People with Disabilities, which AAR JAPAN provided with a copy machine

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Myanmar (Burma) - On the Site of Emergency Assistance after Cyclone Nargis

AAR JAPAN received many donations in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which hit Myanmar (Burma) in May 2008. As we delivered relief supplies to the cyclone’s survivors, we conveyed our many supporters’ heartfelt hopes and wishes for recovery. Kazumi KUBOTA participated in the relief effort as a project coordinator in AAR JAPAN’s Myanmar office until the project’s conclusion at the end of August 2010. She reports on AAR JAPAN’s aid activities, expressing appreciation for all of the support we received.

One Year after the Cyclone, People were Still Struggling

I became a project coordinator in AAR JAPAN’s Myanmar office in August 2009, roughly one year after cyclone Nargis ravaged the nation. While it should have been the end of harvest time in the southern delta, cyclone damage prevented the villagers from harvesting any crops, and they were scraping by day-to-day. The paddy fields had been damaged by seawater, the locals’ means of livelihood such as fishing tools and livestock had been washed away, and many people were struggling under heavy debts. To address this catastrophe, AAR JAPAN initiated a project to encourage the recovery and improvement of people’s livelihoods in the disaster area. We provided fertilizer and rice seeds to farmers, fishing tools to fishermen, and livestock to households that had largely been getting by as day workers.

It may seem a simple thing to provide disaster victims with daily necessities such as tools, materials, and livestock, but bringing about improvement to people’s daily lives is not easy. The key is the people who are involved. AAR JAPAN carried out its relief efforts with the hope that our assistance might help the beneficiaries.

The scene right after the cyclone hit. It caused 138,000 dead/missing (estimated by Myanmar (Burma) government) and about 2.4 million victims (estimated by UN).

Relief Supplies are Nothing More than Things, unless…

Wholesalers in Myanmar often delivered products of lower quality than the ones we ordered. In response, AAR JAPAN staff went to shops to check the quality of fishing nets and rice seeds one by one every time we made an order, often working until late at night. We took great care to ensure that the products were good enough to distribute to the disaster survivors. It must have been a strange sight to see a group of locals and foreigners checking on fishing nets and rice seeds on the floor late at night. Wholesalers and staff from other NGOs sometimes came to have a look at the curious scene. However, wholesalers who saw our dedication became cooperative, and never gave us low-quality products again.

If we merely deliver supplies and tools, they are no more than things. It is up to the people who receive them to use those things effectively or let them go to waste. The beneficiaries made great efforts to maximize their benefits, sharing their knowledge and techniques with one another as they shared the tools among them. The greatest achievement of the relief effort was that the beneficiaries became the main actors in reconstructing their own lives.

Each tool, fishing net, and rice seed represents a wish of hope from supporters in Japan, the staff of the Myanmar office, and many others. I am sure that those wishes have reached the beneficiaries, and that AAR JAPAN’s relief supplies have given them the power to step forward into a brighter future.

Kazumi KUBOTA (right), along with other staff from AAR JAPAN’s Myanmar office, holds a fishing net after checking stitches in the mesh.

Kazumi KUBOTA (right) and Sayako NOGIWA of the Tokyo office (left) deliver a pig to a disaster survivor.

Kazumi KUBOTA, AAR JAPAN Myanmar (Burma) office (former)

After finishing her MA in development studies and education in the U.K., she worked at a diplomacy mission and joined AAR JAPAN in August 2009. (Born in Tokyo)

A Shopping Arcade Made from Container Houses!

Together with international journalist and project founder Mr. Izuru SUGAWARA, AAR JAPAN has been carrying out a project to send easy-to-build container houses to disaster-affected areas of northern Japan. In the town of Onagawa in Oshika County, Miyagi Prefecture, we set up 8 container houses on May 10^th and 22^nd, and a further 10 container houses on June 7^th and 8^th.

Project founder Mr. Izuru SUGAWARA reports on progress on June 7^th and 8^th.

10 Newly-installed Container Houses to be Used as Residences and Shops

In Miyagi Prefecture, the town of Onagawa suffered extensive damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake, with only 800 out of 3,800 houses surviving intact. The shopping arcade facing Onagawa Bay suffered the greatest damage from the tsunami, with everything being swept away. Three months have passed since the earthquake, but still there are only two stores where residents can go shopping—a convenience store and a small shop.

On June 7^th and 8^th, we set up 10 container houses at Washinokami-hama in Onagawa, responding to a request from the youth section of Onagawa’s Commerce and Industry Association. They wanted to use the container houses as residences and shops to revive the shopping arcade.

As before, assembly was largely carried out by the staff of Osaki Hachimanguu Shrine, led by Chief Priest ONOME and professional staff from Tohoku Grader Inc., a prefab company in Sendai. Ms. Mina KONISHI, who has been supporting our activities through procurement and transportation arrangements, also participated, along with her husband Mr. Nils Built. Staff from Nishikoba Contractors came from Saitama to provide handmade tables again, and many others, including members of the youth section of Onagawa’s Commerce and Industry Association, assisted in setting up the houses.

June 7^th – These Italian-made container houses have floors and roofs of vivid blue, giving them a cheerful mood and making them ideal for use as shops.

A Container House Village Full of Hope

With 10 blue-roofed container houses installed, a cute shopping arcade was born!

The youth section of Onagawa’s Commerce and Industry Association named the place “Container House Village”. People passing through by car or bicycle glanced at the sight and spoke to members of the youth section.

Youth section member Mr. Yoshihide ABE said, “We have wanted this for more than two months since the earthquake. With this, we can restart.” Seeing the bright smiles on Mr. ABE and the other youth section members, I had a great feeling that something was likely to happen soon, and that the recovery of Onagawa would be stimulated by the power of these people.

I was told that food and clothing stores, electronics shops, flower shops, and coffee shops will stand along this shopping arcade.

“We want to set up tables and chairs to run an open café.”

“It’ll be wonderful for everyone to be able to get together and talk while drinking tea.”

“That’s right! We haven’t had a place to get together and talk.”

“We hope we can collect town information here, and use this place as an information hub.”

Their image of the shopping arcade seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. Some facilities will be arranged soon, and for the first time since the earthquake, the shopping arcade will open at the beginning of July.

The members of the youth section of Onagawa’s Commerce and Industry Association seemed to be full of life, working hard to pave the way toward the future. I was moved to witness a moment full of such hope.

There are still many people who are hoping to receive container houses as residences, nursing facilities, and temporary office buildings. I beg for your continued support so that we can widen the circle of joy.

June 7^th – The shopping arcade waits to be opened for the first time since the earthquake. These people all cooperated in setting up the container houses.

Mr. Izuru SUGAWARA

International political analyst and international journalist. Born in Tokyo in 1969. Graduated from Chuo University with a degree in political science. Received a master’s degree in international relations from Universiteit van Amsterdam (University of Amsterdam). Has written for magazines and published books on international affairs as a freelance journalist.

Assembleable container houses are easy to transport and take only a few hours to set up. The container house project was proposed in the hope of providing comfortable living spaces quickly and efficiently while the government sets up temporary housing. We have been actively engaged in this project, from obtaining and importing the container houses to setting them up on the ground.

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Three Months Since the Great East Japan Earthquake: Activity Report

AAR JAPAN Keeps Delivering Relief to Mainly Persons with Disabilities, the Elderly and Survivors in Their Homes

Ms. Hiratsuka (left), an evacuee who stays at Fukiura Civic Center (Oshika Peninsula) in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. When the medical team visited her the second time, she said “Thank you very much for coming here again. I am so relieved to see you.” On the right is Mizuho SEKII, the nurse of the medical team. Photo by Yoshifumi KAWABATA on May 6^th.

Since March 13^th, AAR JAPAN has been carrying out relief activities for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition to delivering emergency supplies, AAR JAPAN is also providing medical support and soup kitchens, operating regular buses, and engaging in efforts to rebuild local institutions.

Here we report on the progress of activities that have been made possible thanks to the efforts of our supporters. AAR JAPAN will continue to deliver relief to hard-to reach survivors such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, and survivors in their homes.

Delivery Report from March 14^th to June 9th

List of supplies delivered and receiving institutions from March 14th tn June 9th

Receiving Institutions: approximately 65,000 people in 600 institutions

Miyagi Prefecture: Sendai City, Ishinomaki City, Kesennuma City, Natori City, Tome City, Higashi-Matsushima City, Onagawa Town, Tagajo City, Iwanuma City, Minami-Sanriku Town, Yamamoto Town, Shiogama City

Iwate Prefecture: Otsuchi Town, Ofunato City, Rikuzen-Takata City, Kamaishi City, Yamada Town

Fukushima Prefecture: Soma City, Minami-Soma City

Yamagata Prefecture: Kami-Yamagata City

And others.

Relief Supplies Delivered to Affected Areas

Diesel oil (13,600 liters)

Kerosene (4,400 liters)

Gasoline (2,060 liters)

Potable water (14 tonnes)

Rice (2.5 tonnes)

Oranges (2 tonnes)

Bananas (2 tonnes)

Milk (480 packs)

Sweet-bean cakes (41,000 units)

Vegetables (Potatoes, carrots, onions, spinach, etc. – 100 kg each)

Other food (Retort foods, food for the elderly, canned food, miso, soy sauce, nutritional supplements, etc.)

Blankets (1,000 units)

Underwear, scarves and clothes (25,000 units)

Towels and hand cloths (50,000 units)

“Furoshiki” wrapping cloths (3,000 units)

Face masks  (70,280 units)

Hand warmers (5,000 units)

Sleeping bags (3,400 units)

Medicine (60 packages)

Toothbrushes (10,000 units)

Paper diapers (60,232 units)

Women’s sanitary products (17,000 units)

Batteries (80 cartons)

Baby products (Baby food, pacifiers, etc.)

High-pressure washers (32 units)

Chainsaws (30 units)

Shovels (12 units)

Boots (100 pairs)

Books and picture books (20 boxes)

Crayon sets (200 units)

Cell phone chargers (120 units)

Computers (10 units)

Bicycles (70 units)

Washing machines (11 units)

Dryers (21 units)

Refrigerators (9 units)

Phlegm suction (2 units)

Care beds (1 unit)

Rollaway beds (2 units)

Futon (30 sets)

Wheelchairs (4 units)

Power generators (1 unit)

Knives (20 units)

Cutting boards (20 units)

Small shelving units (10 units)

Book shelves (1 unit)

Clothing cases (2 units)

Disinfectant spray (500 units)

Hand soap (168 units)

Reading glasses (100 units)

Plus other miscellaneous items

Delivery of Relief Supplies for the Families in Temporary Housing and Leased Housing (approximately 35,000 families) in Fukushima Prefecture

In cooperation with a nonprofit organization, ADRA JAPAN, AAR JAPAN has delivered relief supplies to families (approximately 35,000 families) in the temporary housing and the leased housing. In this area, Japanese Red Cross Society has decided to deliver 6 home electric appliances, so AAR JAPAN will distribute other daily necessities such as kitchenware, bath products, vacuum cleaner, table or Kotatsu table, cupboard and other supplies based on the requests from the local government. AAR JAPAN intends to help the families in Soma Area in Fukushima Prefecture (Soma City, Minami-Soma City, Shinchi Town, and Iitate Village) and Tomioka Town and Kawauchi Village in Futaba County. To contribute to regional economic recovery, Minami-Soma City and Soma City Chamber of Commerce have collaborated with local stores to procure the supplies, and the delivery has already started.  

Medical Assistance

On the Oshika Peninsula, we visited the areas of Makinohama, Takenohama, Kitsunezaki-hama, Sudachi, Fukkiura, Kozumihama and Kobuchihama, where approximately 640 survivors are taking shelter in their homes. Led by Dr. Toshiaki YASUDA, a local medical practitioner, AAR JAPAN’s medical team has established a traveling clinic that works to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, checks up on sufferers of chronic illnesses, and offers psychological support, among other health-related activities. We examined 481 people between April 9th and May 31th.

Regular Buses

To guarantee the mobility of those who have lost their regular means of transportation on the Oshika Peninsula, in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, AAR JAPAN prepared a microbus that circulates twice a day in the Ogihama area and once a day in the Ayukawa area. From April 10th to June 4th, approximately 530 people in the Ogihama area and 220 people in Ayukawa made use of bus services. Because the road was mended and the bus can travel as usual, AAR JAPAN terminated this service.

Soup Kitchens

In coordination with Ingram Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the Peace Project, AAR JAPAN organized soup kitchens in Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures from March 31st to May 31st.

Soup Kitchen Locations: approximately 16,650 meals in 48 locations

Miyagi Prefecture: Watanoha, Aikawa, Kitakami and Ayukawa (Oshika Peninsula) in Ishinomaki City; Wakabayashi District in Sendai City; Tagajo City; Shizugawa and Utatsu in Minami-Sanriku Town; Niitsuki, Shishiori and Omose in Kesennuma City

Iwate Prefecture: Kamaishi City, Otsuchi Town, Yamada Town

Fukushima Prefecture: Hara Town in Minami-Soma City

Soup Kitchen Menu

Tokushima ramen, oden, beef stew, yakisoba (fried noodles), fried chicken, vegetable sticks, chukadon (Chinese-style stir-fried meat and vegetables on rice), beef steak, onion soup, tuna sashimi on rice, chanko-nabe (hot pot), apple pie, onion sauté, minestrone, ground chicken with egg and vegetables on rice, fish miso soup, hijiki seaweed mix, fried sweet potato, cabbage rolls, mixed bean-curd lees and vegetables, autumn rice, pork miso soup, stewed fish, cabbage and spinach side dishes, somen noodles, minced-fish soup, hand-made sweet potato pies, hand-made langue du chats, samgyetang (Korean chicken ginseng soup), yakitori (grilled chicken), miso soup with tofu and shimeji mushrooms, stewed meat and potatoes, boiled komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), pasta with meat sauce, potato salad, miso soup with Chinese cabbage and shiitake mushrooms, boiled field mustard, inarizushi (fried tofu stuffed with vinegared rice), cooked radish and minced meat, kashiwa mochi (rice cake wrapped in oak leaf), fried whitefish, miso soup with radish, root salad, fruit Jell-O, udon noodles, almond Jell-O, stir-fried meat with vegetables, gyoza (Chinese dumplings), borscht, miso soup with clams, marinated octopus, miso soup with cabbage and Japanese mustard spinach, squid with wasabi, seafood curry and rice (with scallops, clams and shrimp), Japanese sweets and amazake (sweet mild sake), etc

Institutional Reconstruction

In coordination with local construction companies, AAR JAPAN is repairing cracks in the walls and on the grounds of senior care facilities and facilities for persons with disabilities to enable these people to return to their lives as soon as possible. On April 21st, AAR JAPAN finished fixing cracks in the parking lot of the Asunaro Home, care facility for persons with disabilities located in Rikuzen-takata City, Iwate Prefecture. In coordination with the welfare division of each prefecture, Council of Social Welfare and other related organizations, AAR JAPAN will continue reconstructing the facilities for persons with disabilities and the elderly people in the affected areas of Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures.

Container Housing Project

AAR JAPAN installed 10 container housing units in the town of Onagawa in Oshika County, Miyagi Prefecture, to enable evacuees who have been enduring long-term life in evacuation centers.

“Let’s Bring Hot Springs to the Disaster Zone!” Project

In coordination with Manyo Club Co., Ltd. (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture), Ascendia Inc. (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo) and other companies, AAR JAPAN is carrying out the “Let’s Bring Hot Springs to the Disaster Zone!” Project.

With the cooperation of Kanagawa Prefecture’s Yugawara Onsen (hot spring), on the first day of the project, April 9th, hot spring water was delivered to four evacuation centers in Matsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture: Yamoto Dai-ichi Junior High School, Akai City Center, Ushiami Community Center, and Asai Civic Center.

Since April 12th, with the cooperation of Miyagi Prefecture’s Onikobe Onsen (hot spring), hot water has been delivered to facilities in two different locations every day except Sunday. Delivery points include the four locations listed above, plus Miyato Elementary School in Higashi-Matsushima City and Ishinomaki Shoshinkai Social Welfare Corporation in Ishinomaki City. These 6 delivery points enable 500-600 evacuees to bathe every day, and AAR JAPAN provided the service until the end of May.

Tote Bag Project

Responding to requests from evacuation centers and senior care facilities, AAR JAPAN is collecting hand-made tote bags to be delivered to the survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake. By the May 20th deadline, approximately 5,000 bags were collected. AAR JAPAN volunteers will attach a strap of our mascot “Sunny-chan” to the bags and deliver them to evacuees, with precedence going to the elderly.

Mental Care for Elementary and Junior High School Students in the Affected Area (Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture)

AAR JAPAN supports a nonprofit organization, “Soma Follower Team” which was formed by the attention of Soma City for the purpose of psychological care of the children at elementary, junior high schools and kindergarten. Professional team of clinical psychologists and health care workers carry out the activities for children for the purpose of interacting with others in the city.

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