Area of Operation：Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Association for Aid and Relief, Japan
Introduction of group activities
Maintaining a hygienic environment secures educational opportunities for children
Maintaining a hygienic environment secures educational opportunities for children
The Association for Aid and Relief is a Japan-born international NGO that is not biased toward any political, religious, or ideological grounds. We are engaging in various activities in different countries to bring about a sustainable society where all people with diverse characteristics can live together while maintaining individuality and human dignity. Our activities include emergency assistance to refugees and disaster victims, support for refugees with disabilities whose conditions are even more difficult than other refugees, and measures against infectious diseases. In 1997, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a project by major members of the Association for Aid and Relief, jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Learning is easier with toilets! Sanitation project to support refugee children
In Pakistan, one of the countries where the Association for Aid and Relief is providing support, water for daily use is often unsafe and causes diarrhea and hepatitis. The shortage of safe water and poor sanitation have a negative impact not only on health but also on education.
Elementary schools near Afghan refugee settlements lack basic sanitation facilities for handwashing and toilets. This situation damages children’s health and hinders school attendance. To counter this problem, we are installing toilets, handwashing facilities, and water purifier tanks in elementary schools. We are providing hygiene education to the children, their elementary school teachers, and their parents. By doing so, the children will learn and maintain hygienic practices. We are working to improve children's health and to develop an environment where they can concentrate on studying.
・Until now, I had to drink unsanitary water and use a toilet without water at school, so I was very happy when they installed the sanitation facilities in school. Also, since acquiring correct knowledge during the hygiene campaign, I have been protecting not only myself but also others from infections by keeping myself clean, by washing hands well, brushing teeth, and so on. (Fourth grader, female)
・I am very concerned about the COVID-19 epidemic this year. I hope that through hygiene awareness activities, the children will acquire appropriate knowledge of infectious diseases and how to prevent them. (Parents)
・I learned that hand washing is very important to prevent infectious diseases such as COVID-19. I will teach my brothers and sisters the correct hand washing procedure I learned today. (Elementary School Student)
Organization history
The Association for Aid and Relief, Japan, was established by Yukika Soma in 1979 when she was 67. As the number of boat people was increasing rapidly at that time, AAR was created as a civic association to support Indochina refugees not biased on any political, ideological, or religious grounds.
AAR was accepted as an authorized NPO by the Tokyo metropolitan government in 2014. Today, as a Japan-born international NGO providing emergency and humanitarian assistance, AAR is engaged in activities in approximately 60 countries, including Japan, with its disaster-hit areas.
AAR was accepted as an authorized NPO by the Tokyo metropolitan government in 2014. Today, as a Japan-born international NGO providing emergency and humanitarian assistance, AAR is engaged in activities in approximately 60 countries, including Japan, with its disaster-hit areas.
Elementary school in the Haripur District
Hygiene training for teachers
Hygiene training for children
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