Haiti: Protecting Children from Infectious Diseases

To Establish a Habit of Using Toilets and Washing Hands for Preventing Infectious Diseases

The Republic of Haiti, where AAR Japan has operated since when the country was hit by the devastating earthquake in January 2010, has been one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere even before the earthquake. The country suffers poor infrastructure including roads, schools and hospitals and among others, the lack of sanitation facilities such as latrines and hand-washing facilities is severe. Added to this constant want, the earthquake devastated the country and forced Haitian people to live in the worsened sanitary condition. This led to the further prevalence of cholera in the autumn of 2010, which resulted in approximately 580,000 cases of infection and casualty of around 8,000 people. The government of Haiti also recognizes that promotion of good hygiene among children is one of the most urgent issues to address.

The living drainage flows and garbage is piled up on the road. (Port-au-Prince, October 2012)

Great East Japan Earthquake: Let’s Prevent Economy-Class Syndrome!

Among those living in temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake, there are many who have lost their jobs, are bereft of their hobbies and social connections with neighbors, and are living introvert lives. Many of these people also have significantly fewer opportunities for physical exercise. As a result, an increasing number are suffering from weakening in their backs and legs, and thrombi [plural of thrombus] in the blood vessels of their legs. Thrombosis, if left untreated, is a dangerous disease that can cause necrosis or sudden death, among other things.

Since April 2013, AAR Japan has been working together with Morioka City Hospital to conduct preventive medical examination and early treatment activities on Economy-class Syndrome (Evacuees Thrombosis) and Disuse Syndrome (Inactive Lifestyle), which are commonly seen in evacuees.

Many people arrived for the check-ups being offered. Most were elderly folk, who do not have many opportunities to undergo medical examinations. (Support Center Tomioka, Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, June 29^th, 2013)

Cambodia: Learning Together with Children with Disabilities – Support for School-aged Children in Cambodia

Since 1992, AAR Japan has been carrying out various relief activities in Cambodia, including vocational training for persons with disabilities and the production/distribution of wheelchairs. In April 2013, we launched a new project to provide opportunity for education to every child regardless of whether they are with disabilities or not.

Prek Tameak Primary School’s grounds. Entrance to the classroom requires ascending steep stairs. (April 24^th, 2013)

Japan: Community Events Ongoing to Empower Disaster Survivors

Protect Temporary Housing Residents from Isolation and Poor Health

Although it has been almost two and a half years since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan’s Tohoku pacific coastal areas, the survivors of the disaster are still struggling in difficult living conditions. Some people have started to take a step forward by getting a new job or leaving their temporary housing complex to live in their own houses they managed to rebuild. On the other hand, those who are forced to live in inconveniently-located temporary housings have no choice but to spend all day in their small rooms, even on weekends and holidays, unless they have a car. Elderly people who live alone have even fewer opportunities to go out and easily end up spending their days isolated inside their small rooms. Besides this, there are also people who develop alcohol dependency, losing their jobs because of the disaster and the resulting nuclear accident, and being overwhelmed by the anxiety and stress of an uncertain future.

Kenya: Supply safe water for people who struggle against repeated drought

In 2011, AAR Japan started operation in Kenya, for supporting people suffering from the huge drought in East Africa. Since February 2012, we have repaired the water supply facilities and built new wells in local villages located as far as an eight-hour drive to the east of Nairobi, the capital in Kenya.

Women and children are usually in charge of drawing out and carrying water. They dig up dry bottoms of seasonal rivers and draw water from underground in villages with no well (around Ture Village in Garissa District, April 12^th, 2013).

Tajikistan: “We will change our lives on our own.” Challenges taken on by women with disabilities.

In Tajikistan, the social welfare system has not been fully developed, and the pension provided by the government for persons with disabilities is only 80 somoni (roughly 1,600 yen) per month. Simply buying a slice of bread (their staple food) uses up all of their income. AAR Japan has been providing vocational training program to those with disabilities and their families in an effort to help them regain their independence and ability to support their families.

Below is a report from Yoshio NAKAGAWA, who has been engaged in operation in Tajikistan for three years.

Zarina (27, on the left) has difficulty walking. She took part in the cooking course through a vocational training program organized by AAR japan and worked hard to find employment at a high-class hotel as a cook. (at Dushanbe Serena Hotel on June 13^th, 2013 with Yoshio NAKAGAWA (on the right))

The Great East Japan Earthquake: Providing Safe Drinking Water and Lunches for Children in Fukushima Prefecture

Following the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, concerns have been expressed about the safety of children’s drinking water and food in areas where high levels of radiation have been detected.

In many of the day care centers in Fukushima Prefecture, children are drinking bottled mineral water due to the concern over radiation exposure. Local governments provide safe drinking water to some communities, but unfortunately, this is not on a regular basis and the supply is limited. There is not enough water for children to drink at lunch and at snack time; nor is there a sufficient amount of safe water to mix powdered milk with for babies. By providing mineral water and installing water servers, AAR Japan has donated 16,480 liters of drinking water to nine kindergartens and day care centers in Soma, Minami Soma and Date City.

April 22, 2013 at Tsukidate Day Care Center in Date City - The mineral water donated by AAR Japan is used for cooking lunches and making powered milk.