Tajikistan: Support Begins for Wheelchair Factory in Tajikistan

Although it is said that 70 thousand people in Tajikistan—1% of the population—require wheelchairs, virtually none are produced in the nation. The government imports and delivers wheelchairs to hopeful candidates, but the total number is only about 40 per year, while the waiting list is years long. In addition to such supply problems, the only wheelchairs offered are standard-issue products ill-suited to the varying disabilities and living environments of their recipients. To meet these needs, AAR JAPAN has begun to support the only wheelchair factory in Tajikistan, with the goals of increasing the number of wheelchairs in the country and promoting the ability of persons with disabilities to fully participate in society.

Improving the Quality of Life for Persons with Disabilities

March 6th, 2012 - Factory staff under training from wheelchair specialist Mr. Hiroyuki MINAMI (2nd from left). Yoshio NAKAGAWA (right), AAR JAPAN staff, assists with translation. 

Cambodia: We Are Providing Agricultural Assistance in the Flood-Affected Areas

February 13^th, 2012- Noriyasu OKAYAMA (left) of AAR JAPAN hands a set of vegetable seeds and gardening tools to a family affected by the floods. (Siem Reap Province)

In response to the massive flooding that occurred in Cambodia between the summer and fall of 2011, AAR JAPAN dispatched Noriyasu OKAYAMA and Tomoko SONODA who distributed food and non-food emergency relief items in the flood-affected areas from November 2011 to January 2012. During the 2 months, AAR JAPAN was able to reach out to a total of 3,000 families in the most affected villages in the suburban area of the nation’s capital Phnom Penh, as well as parts of Siem Reap Province and Kampong Thom Province. Although the floodwaters subsided at the end of last year and direct damage was no longer anticipated, rice crop that were planned to be harvested during November and December had been completely destroyed, and many of the farmers of the villages also lost their vegetables and livestock. Those affected by the disaster still face challenges, as many are in debt in order to survive day to day.

Japan: One Year after the Great East Japan Earthquake: Activity Report

One Year Later, AAR JAPAN Upholds its Commitment to the Survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake

February 2nd, 2012 - Daily necessities were distributed to Mr. Shintaro and Mrs. Yoko ABE (center), who evacuated from Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture. Mr. and Mrs. ABE lost their first son in the tsunami; their three daughters currently live separately. At left and right are Atsushi NAOE and Natsuho SHOJI of AAR JAPAN. (Yunuki Temporary Housing Complex in Soma City, Fukushima 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, with a focus on the elderly and persons with disabilities (PWDs), AAR JAPAN is also repairing welfare facilities and providing vehicles for facilities for persons with disabilities.

Approaching March 11th – From Yukie OSA, President

It has been almost one year since March 11^th, 2011. Even as of today on March 1^st, 2012, 3,276 people from young to old are still reported missing, and 15,854 people have been confirmed dead. I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my condolences to those who have passed in this unprecedented disaster, and extend my prayers to those who have lost family members, friends, acquaintances, and other loved ones.

As for Fukushima Prefecture, in the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami, and the subsequent man-made disaster at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, approximately 97,000 people have evacuated within the prefecture and 63,000 people to nearby prefectures. For the majority of them, the prospect of returning home is bleak. I cannot fathom how painful and distressing this past year must have been for them, and I express my deepest sympathy to everyone who have had their lives affected by this series of catastrophic events.

Japan: Reading Picture Books to Kindergarteners in Fukushima Prefecture

"Due to radiation concerns, the children have only been allowed to play outside 5 times.”

February 23^rd, 2012- The children at Tachibana Kindergarten listen intently as Miyo ITO (left) of AAR JAPAN reads the picture book, “Not Mines, but Flowers.” (Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture)

On February 23^rd, 2012, Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR JAPAN) visited Tachibana Kindergarten in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. In addition to reading the picture book “Not Mines, but Flowers”, AAR JAPAN delivered 90 hand-made tote bags that were collected from supporters all over Japan, as well as delivering 90 boxes of chocolate with messages collected through AAR JAPAN’s Heart-Warming Chocolate Delivery Campaign.

Japan: Social Welfare Facility’s Bread Factory Expanded

Rebuilding a Workplace for Persons with Disabilities

January 2^nd, 2012 – In front of the finished bread factory with users and staff of Huck’s House.

In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR JAPAN) has been providing equipment and supporting the repair and maintenance of approximately 50 social welfare facilities in the disaster-affected areas. Among our supported facilities is Huck’s House, a vocational center for persons with disabilities in Tanohata Village, Iwate Prefecture.