Laos: What Would You Do If UXO Accident Happens in Your Village?

In Laos, U.S. Forces dropped as many as two million tons of bombs during both the Vietnam War and the civil war in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Reportedly, approximately 30% of them have remained in Laos as unexploded ordnance (UXOs) that continue to cause accidents and deaths even today. Xieng Khuang Province located in the north of the country in particular is an accident-prone area. According to statistics from National regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector in Lao PDR, in 2012, 31 persons are injured in this province alone, accounting for 55% of all the victims in Laos.

Below is a report from Noriko ANDO, who has been engaged in operations in Xieng Khuang Province.

A Nearby “VHV” is Better than a Far-off Hospital

The medical standard in Laos is not very high. In Xieng Khuang Province, one of the worst affected areas by UXOs, each district has only one hospital that is able to provide decent medical treatment for victims of UXOs. There are only four ambulances available in the whole province. To make matters worse, most of the roads are unpaved which prevents ambulances from reaching hospitals during the rainy season. Delayed medical treatment has resulted in higher numbers of UXO-related deaths as well as victims who sustain life-altering bodily injury. Some victims do not even have a   choice but to give up going to hospitals because of their inability to cover their medical fees.

“I would like to share what I have learned with villagers,” said Ms. Syvai, a VHV in Phounven Village with Noriko ANDO on the right.

Hello Asia: A summer event for elementary school students

Tokyo was connected with Myanmar and Afghanistan through Skype

On August 21^st, 2013, AAR Japan held a summer event aimed at elementary school students called Hello Asia. Through this event, local AAR Japan office staff in both Yangon (Myanmar) and Kabul (Afghanistan) directly communicated with the participating children online using Skype. The event was held over two sessions, a Myanmar session and an Afghanistan session Thirty-three elementary school students and thirteen parents attended.

After a short introductory video by the local staff members, Takashi SAWAUCHI, previously a high school Social Studies teacher for thirty-eight years (currently a lecturer at the Faculty of International Studies at Bunkyo University), introduced the flags and the living environments of the countries using fun quizzes and bingo games. Afterwards, the children were split up into groups where they came up with questions they wanted to ask regarding life in each of the countries, such as the climate, the culture, work and school.

A video call with the AAR Japan office in Yangon. Local staff member Thinza (right on the screen) and Japanese staff Namiko MOTOKAWA (left on the screen). The MC for the event, Takehiro HOZUMI, is pictured front-right. (August 21^st, 2013)

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).