11.3 Million People Affected: AAR Japan Responds to Typhoon in the Philippines

Please support our cause to help those affected in Philippines

In response to Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) that struck the Philippines on November 8^th, 2013, Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) will deploy its staff members from Japan to carry out emergency assistance activities.

The typhoon, which caused massive flooding and landslides, has affected an estimated 11.3 million people all across the island nation, especially in areas around Leyte Island. It has been reported that as many as 10,000 people may have died in Tacloblan City alone, and more than 670,000 people have been forced to evacuate. These numbers are expected to increase through the subsequent surveys. Assistance is urgently needed including provision of water, food, medication, sanitary materials alternative shelters, and removal of debris (*source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: UNOCHA).

Zambia: Measures against HIV/AIDS “Don’t worry alone” AAR encourages HIV/AIDS patients to take medicine by cooperating with volunteers

AAR has been making comprehensive efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS infection since 2000 in Zambia by spreading proper knowledge, supporting children whose parents died of AIDS to go to school and providing care for HIV/AIDS patients. AAR reports about the ART (antiretroviral therapy) support, which we implement in the suburb of the capital city of Lusaka.

We wish more patients could live longer

Zambia, where more than 200 people die due to AIDS every day, is working on measures to combat HIV/AIDS. Recently, the treatment using “ARV”, the medicine for HIV, which slows down the progression of the disease, if taken properly everyday for the rest of patient’s life, has become common. However, among HIV/AIDS patients, many stop taking the drug due to various reasons. Some are afraid that their neighbors will know their status and thus hesitate to receive the drug in a clinic, while others procrastinate to visit a clinic, thinking “I am fine now.”

In response, AAR started training local volunteers who support patients to take ARV drugs since January 2013. 21 people were chosen from the area around a clinic, and received training for 23 days. The volunteers learned counseling skills such as how to make a friendly atmosphere that patients feel comfortable to talk, along with the basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS and ARV drugs.

The volunteers during the training. Their bright smiles and careful counseling support the patients. (April 10^th, 2013)