Pakistan: Supporting Education for Afghan Refugees and Internally Displaced People in Pakistan

Currently there are approximately 600,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) who fled from areas of conflict and 1,700,000 Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Many of them are being forced to live in the harsh environment of refugee camps with underdeveloped infrastructure in the northwestern region and its surrounding areas. Since 2011, AAR Japan has been striving to improve the living environment of such IDPs, Afghan refugees, and also the host community residents in the Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
 
Providing an Environment Conducive to Children’s Learning

January 24^th, 2011 – Even in the harsh, cold winter, the children were sitting outside on the floor to study. (Hamza Rashaka 3 Primary School)

Pakistan: “I’m happy there is clean water” Installation of a Well in a Refugee Camp

Residents that Live in a Harsh Environment Lacking in Infrastructure

In the Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province neighboring the border with Afghanistan, which is roughly 2.5 hours northwest of the Pakistan capital of Islamabad, close to 40,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) who fled from the conflict near the border live together with over 100,000 Afghanistan refugees. In a place that lacks basic infrastructure such as hospitals and water supply systems, many residents in the area are caught in an unforgiving living environment, aggravated by the large influx of both IDPs and refugees from outside the country,

In response, AAR Japan has taken major steps to improve the educational environment for children, implementing a project that involves supporting medical facilities and  maintaining water supply systems.

Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

South Sudan: Toilets and Hygiene Education Classes at Elementary Schools

Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) has been carrying out water and hygiene projects in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State since 2006. The following is a report on the construction of a new toilet facility and hygiene education classes held between March 2011 and April 2012.

Hygiene Education Classes Held in 6 Elementary Schools

 
Water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid fever and cholera have been the major cause of death among children in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State. According to research done by AAR Japan in 2010, only 6.4% of the population and 2% of children used toilets. Most use roadsides and bushes, which leads to the contamination of water sources and the spread of infectious diseases. In response, AAR Japan initiated hygiene education classes in 6 elementary schools for roughly one year beginning in March 2011.

June 28^th, 2012 – A sanitary hygiene class held for school teachers in Kapoeta North County. “Which picture is most sanitary?”

Uganda: Supporting the Incomes Landmine Victims

Support for Landmine Victims in a Harsh Environment

A 20-year civil war has left the northwestern region of Uganda scattered with landmines and UXOs (Unexploded Ordnance). Most of these landmines and UXOs still remain in the ground, with injuries mounting every year. Victims often lose their jobs due to their disabilities, or sell their homes and businesses in order to raise money for treatment. According to research by the Ugandan Government in 2009, only 8% of these victims have a means of making an income.

In cooperation with ULSA (Uganda Landmine Survivors Association), AAR Japan has been supporting Ugandan victims of landmines and UXOs since 2009. At present, we are providing start-up assistance to 30 beneficiaries in Uganda’s northern Lira District, helping them start small-scale, self-owned business such as retail shops, salons, and second-hand clothing shops in order to attain financial stability.

Hope for a Better Future

May 14^th, 2012 - AAR Japan provided commodities such as sweets, sugar and detergent to help Ms. ACIO (right) open a retail shop.