Turkey: Diversified Aid to Support the Lives of Refugees in the City

Nine years have passed since the Syrian conflict started in March 2011. The number of Syrian refugees who have fled to Turkey (the neighboring country) and who are unclear if and when they will be able to return home has exceeded 3.6 million people (as of August 2019) and continues to rise. Since the capacity of refugee camps run by the Turkish government is limited, about 95% of the refugees live in cities or villages.

Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, attracts the largest number of Syrian refugees in the nation as refugees seek better jobs and quality of life. There are over half a million registered refugees in Istanbul. AAR Japan is active in the Esenyurt District, which is a district with one of the lowest rents amongst the cities and attracts many refugees. At the Esenyurt District, there are many people who face difficulties in terms of illness, disability, employment, children's education, and the economy. Sawako Sakagami from the AAR Japan’s Tokyo office reports on AAR Japan’s activities in the Esenyurt District.

We enjoyed face painting at the picnic (August 2018)

Uganda：Staying close to every landmine survivor and supporting each other within the community

The support project that AAR Japan conducts in the East African country of Uganda helps landmine survivors wear their prosthetic legs. This support plan makes a difference for those people whose lives were changed when they lost their limbs due to landmines.

What more did AAR Japan do to support landmine survivors in the community? Aya FUJITA, AAR Japan staff member in Uganda, reports.

A new life starts today

Ms. Jetress Biira, feeling nervous, but showing us a smile at the moment when she puts on her prosthetic leg for the first time (March, 21, 2019 in Kasese District, Uganda)

“Building Connections through Sports!” – Working Towards Refugees and Local Residents Living Side-by-Side

Since 2017, AAR Japan has been active in Kalobeyei, which borders South Sudan in the Turkana District in northwest Kenya, working towards a peaceful coexistence between the local residents and the refugees.
Rei GOTO from the AAR Kakuma Office in Kenya reports on the Sporting Event that was held in April.

Women’s basketball participants with Rei GOTO (front row, right end) and Saki KOMAHASHI (front row, second from the left) of AAR Japan (April 6th, 2019)

Propositions from Japan and Myanmar at International Conferences on Disabilities

AAR Japan’s staff members participated in two regional conferences, namely the
Rehabilitation International Asia & Pacific Regional Conference, held from June
26th to 28th, 2019, in Macau; and also the Asia & Pacific Regional Conference on
Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID), which took place from July 2nd to 4th, 2019, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.  Sayako NOGIWA, from Tokyo
Headquarters, reports here on the accomplishments and lessons learnt from the
two conferences.

 After the presentation, Sayako NOGIWA from Tokyo Headquarters (third from the left, in the second line), together with the participants from overseas, including Brazil and Gambia. Ms. Etsuko UENO (second from the left, in the second line) generously acted as the moderator. (June 27th, 2019, Macau)

Typhoon Hagibis update : New concern of infectious diseases

The sludge all over the kindergarten facility

“Can you help us...?” We received a phone call from a kindergarten in Fukushima.
This kindergarten is located in Soma city, which is one of the worst-hit places by Typhoon Hagibis. AAR Japan had worked with this kindergarten before , when 3.11 / Great East Japan Earthquake happened, to assist their recovery. This kindergarten has 140 children, from age 0 to 6.

 They were affected by Typhoon Hagibis because the nearby river got flooded. They told us the water went above floor and the sludge was all over the place. Although they cleaned up and reopened two weeks after the typhoon, they were unable to get sanitation items from the local government nor purchase them anywhere near them. With no way of ensuring the hygienic standard for their children, they gave us a call asking for our help.

 We went to see the situation right after the call and first gave them disinfecting spray, anti-norovirus antiseptic and medicated gargle/mouthwash. There was strong smell still lingering so we gave them disinfectant deodorants.

The children opened the box and showed us big smile.(23 Oct./Soma city, Fukushima)

Laos: Mushroom Cultivation Is the First Step towards Financial Independence

It is said that approximately 160,000 people in Laos (2.8% of the population) are PWDs, and 75% of them are between 15 and 64, which means that they should be part of the workforce in the country. However, they only have a few employment opportunities because commuting to work is rather challenging and a persistent stereotype prevails that “we cannot expect PWDs to be productive.” Our correspondent, Haruhiko Mori, reports on AAR　Japan’s support in promoting entrepreneurship on a small scale for the purpose of improving the status quo. In addition, Yuki Sakurai from our Tokyo Office introduces the facility that provides job opportunities to those in disaster-stricken areas in Japan.

The Western Japan Flood: One Year On Relief operations for those left behind

 It has been almost one year since the Western Japan Flood caused serious destruction and extensive damage across the whole of Japan; stretching from Hokkaido to Okinawa. According to an official report issued by the Cabinet Office on 9 January 2019, the flooding resulted in a total of 245 dead and missing, and the partial or complete destruction of as many as 18,100 houses and buildings.

Locals unloading a container truck which was swept away by the torrential rain. (Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture)