Emergency food distribution support project in Herat, Afghanistan

September 30, 2022

• Food Parcels Reached the Torghondi Warehouse
  (August 13, 2022) ©NICCO/RSDO
• Food Distribution Centre Torghondi
  (August 14, 2022) ©NICCO/RSDO

Afghanistan is suffering from a serious food crisis due to the long-standing conflict, natural disasters such as droughts and floods, and the impact of the COVID19. Furthermore, deterioration of the economic situation caused by the political change last August.
Food and livelihood shortages are particularly severe in Herat, western Afghanistan. NICCO, a JPF member NGO, has been providing emergency food distribution to about 14,000 people in 2,000 particularly vulnerable households in this area. In August, NICCO distributed food to 740 beneficial households in Torghondi and 1,260 in Kushk-e-Robat Sangee FDP.

Sessions on Cash Transfers and Proper Handwashing Methods

28th June 2022

Afghanistan is a country where people are facing serious food, sanitation, and nutritional problems due to conflict, natural disasters, and the impact of COVID-19.
Save the Children Japan (SCJ), a JPF member NGO, has been implementing food aid and hygiene and nutrition support projects through cash disbursements in Balkh Province. In addition, hygiene kits were distributed to a total of 700 households, and radio messages on prevention of COVID-19 infection and household hygiene management were also started.

Providing emergency food and material support in Nangarhar Province

27th May, 2022

• View of a beneficiary at distribution venue ©JEN
• View of a woman with her children while carrying the distributed cooking oil ©JEN

Afghanistan is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis of the worst kind due to more than 40 years of conflict and frequent disasters. Poverty is spreading, and urgent measures are needed to address the food crisis.

JEN, a JPF member NGO, is distributing food and non-food items to 1,200 IDPs, returnees and vulnerable host communities in Nangarhar Province, where the situation is particularly severe. In April, 250 households received food baskets.

Food Package Distribution for Winterization and and Explosives Avoidance Education

April 25, 2022

The Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR), a JPF member NGO, started activities in March to provide food package distribution for wintering and explosive ordnance risk education in the region. AAR conducted an EORE seminar in Kapisa province through local instructors.

Food Distribution Project in Central Provinces in Afghanistan

March 22, 2022

In central provinces in Afghanistan, where Reach Alternatives (REALs), a JPF member NGO, is conducting support activities, there are many people who are putting at risk of their lives.It is because of the malnutrition due to inadequate food supply caused by the paralysis of socioeconomic activities.
REALs is currently collecting information on areas where food aid is not being delivered despite the need, and is in contact with community leaders in the candidate areas to discuss the local situation and to select the beneficiaries.

PWJ's Lifesaving Food Assistance in Nangarhar Province

15th February 2022

• Distribution site in Rodat district, Nangarhar Province ©PWJ

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), a JPF member NGO, distributes cash and tokens to people in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, who live in economic difficulties and lack daily food, so that they can afford food during the five months from autumn to winter, when food conditions are particularly severe. Many of those who have received the aid feel it has made it easier to obtain the food they need.

Reasons Why Afghanistan under Taliban Regime Needs Separate Response to Humanitarian Assistance and International Sanctions (Asahi WEBRONZA)

20th January 2022

The third article on Afghanistan in Asahi WEBRONZA by Takeshi Komino, Co-Chairperson of JPF and General Secretary of CWS Japan, was published today.

The article reminds us that humanitarian assistance is not the same as international sanctions, and that mid- to long-term support, including education, is also important now that emergency assistance is needed. We hope that you will read this article and be inspired to think about the current situation and the future of Afghanistan, which is in a state of humanitarian crisis.

▼Reasons Why Afghanistan under Taliban Regime Needs Separate Response to Humanitarian Assistance and International Sanctions (Asahi WEBRONZA) <Japanese Only>
https://webronza.asahi.com/politics/articles/2022011400003.html

Women Empowered to Live with Japanese Support Continue to Encourage Children in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan (BuzzFeed Japan / LINE news)

December 2021

BuzzFeed Japan editor-in-chief Mr. Kando, who attended the JPF/SVA joint emergency online event on December 9, interviewed Nadia (pseudonym), who spoke at the event, for more information.

There are many easy-to-understand photos and videos, and you can feel very close to a woman who continues to encourage children in Afghanistan, as well as the background of Afghanistan and the international community.

▼Read the full article here. #Buzzfeed Japan / #LINE news (Japanese Only)
https://www.japanplatform.org/info/2021/11/281321.html

▼JPF/SVA joint emergency online event on Dec. 9, 2021 JPF/SVA (Japanese Only)
https://www.japanplatform.org/info/2021/11/281321.html

Extension of emergency relief projects such as food aid

22nd December 2021

In response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, we have decided to provide emergency winterization support and are currently coordinating the support. In addition, we have taken measures such as extending existing food assistance programs. Save the Children (SCJ) Emergency Food Support and Sanitation and Nutrition Assistance Program for Kandahar Province has been extended until March 23, 2022.

JPF/SVA joint emergency online event

1st December 2021

JPF and Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) are co-hosting an emergency online event to share the real voices on the ground from Afghanistan and the voices of Japanese NGOs who have been providing support for 20 years, and to provide an opportunity to think about the support we can provide to protect people's human rights as well as the basic support to save lives.

●Date and time: December 9, 2021 (Thu.) 18:00－19:30 (Zoom Online）

●Speakers' profiles and event details (Japanese Only) :
https://www.japanplatform.org/info/2021/11/281321.html

※ Thank you very much for your participation. We will report more about the events on this program page.

Response to Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis (Emergency Winterization Assistance)

24th November 2021

• ©CWS

On November 19, JPF, which has supported Afghanistan for 20 years, decided to provide emergency winterization assistance in Afghanistan. The country is currently experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis due to the approaching cold winter, and JPF will implement this support under its ongoing humanitarian assistance program in Afghanistan. Updates will be provided regularly on the JPF website and Facebook page.

JEN Secretary General and others discuss the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan (NHK WORLD JAPAN)

2nd November 2021

Ms. Kiyama, Secretary General of JPF member NGO JEN, appeared on NHK WORLD JAPAN "GLOBAL AGENDA" "Afghanistan Crisis: A Global Dilemma" to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

▼On Demand （Available until 30th October 2022）
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2047065/

People's Life in Afghanistan

October 2021

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), a JPF member NGO, has started a food aid project in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan since August this year. While the situation in the area is still uncertain due to the Taliban's control of Afghanistan, PWJ is making preparations to safely deliver aid to people in need of food.
PWJ has been providing emergency food assistance in Nangarhar province for six months from September last year to March this year. The following is a report on the lives of the people who came into clear view during the project.

Click here for the report

JPF Emergency Online Event on September 15
"Voices of Friends from the Frontline in Afghanistan under Humanitarian Crisis: What We Can Do Now“

11th September 2021

In the midst of the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan, JPF and its member NGO partners, who have been providing support from Japan for 20 years, are concerned about the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people in Kabul and other areas, and are struggling to resume support.
In this session, Ms. Keiko Hamada, a journalist who has been active as a commentator on TBS Sunday Morning and other programs, will moderate the panel and report on the real voices of Afghan people who have been working together, the current situation and urgent humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, and the support status of JPF and member NGOs.

We hope that this event will provide an opportunity for us to think about what we can do to help Afghanistan, as the question of how people should accept and support each other across national borders becomes ever more important.
We look forward to your participation!

-Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 20:00-21:30 (Zoom)
-Speaker profiles and event details:
https://www.japanplatform.org/info/2021/09/120933.html

-Participation registration form: https://forms.gle/dhoeU7gwKopAScKKA
(Deadline: 18:00, September 15, 2021 *Zoom link for participation will be sent to those who have applied)

*English translation is available.

NHK BS "International News 2021" featured Japanese NGOs involved in supporting Afghanistan

7th September 2021

On September 6, NHK BS "International News 2021" broadcasted a report on the situation of Japanese NGOs that have been involved in support activities in Afghanistan for 20 years.

The NGO interviewed had been supporting Afghanistan with only local staff since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an evacuation order for Japanese nationals in 2007. Due to the sudden change in the situation, there were reports that the fighters were trying to find foreign collaborators, so in order to protect the lives of the staff, they had to confirm their safety, temporarily close the office, and suspend the activities. However, they believe that they need to resume the activities as soon as possible and said, "We are not thinking of stopping our support. Rather, we have to carry on. We need to ensure the safety of the local staff and how quickly we can deliver aid to the vulnerable people in society”.

The expert said that local staff are indispensable to the relief efforts, and that it would be a great blow to the local people if the ongoing support was lost. He added, "The absence of the activities of people who have been working closely with the local community, building on trust and understanding their needs for many years, would have a significant impact on the local community”.

NHK BS "International News 2021" Website
https://bit.ly/3tkHw0l

SVA’s events to report on the current situation in Afghanistan - September 10 and 11-

August 2021

Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA), a JPF member NGO, will hold two online events on Afghanistan, where the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen due to the rapid changes in the domestic situation. At the events, the director of SVA's Afghanistan office will share the current situation in the country and analyze the future situation with experts. In addition, as SVA has been supporting Afghan women through its fair trade project "Craft Aid," we will also present the voices of women who have been involved in Craft Aid. We hope you will join us.

"The Worst Humanitarian Crisis Looming: The People and Children of Afghanistan Today
Date & Time: Friday, September 10, 16:00-18:00
Capacity: 480 people　
Participation fee: Free
Online Streaming (Zoom): URL will be sent to applicants by e-mail.
Application deadline: Tuesday, September 7
To register, please click here: https://sva.or.jp/wp/?p=41515z

"Women Living in Afghanistan: Handicrafts to Support Their Lives
Date & Time: Saturday, September 11, 14:30-16:00
Capacity: 450 people　
Participation fee: Free
Online Streaming (Zoom): URL will be sent to applicants by e-mail.
Application deadline: Thursday, September 9
To apply, please click here: https://sva.or.jp/wp/?p=41522

The Rapid Change in the Situation in Afghanistan and JPF's Continued Support - Continued Support for Women, Children, Minorities and Other Vulnerable Groups to Protect Their Lives and Human Rights

17th August 2021

Japan Platform (JPF) is concerned about the safety of vulnerable people in Afghanistan amid the rapid changes in the situation.
We have posted the following statement on the 17th.

Rapid Changes in the Situation in Afghanistan and JPF's Continued Assistance

JEN's Water Sanitation Project in Afghanistan

23rd July 2021

JEN, a JPF member NGO, is implementing a project to improve the water and sanitation environment and prevent coronavirus infection for internally displaced people and returnees in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.

Click here for JEN's report (June 4)

SVA to distribute supplies and support infection prevention

22nd June 2021

• ©SVA

Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA), a JPF member NGO, has been distributing food to returnees and others in need in Nangahar and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan, and raising awareness of the prevention of new coronavirus infection.
SVA introduces the purpose and contents of the project on its website.
Click here for the report

Online debriefing by SVA

6th May 2021 16:05

The Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA), which provides support activities under JPF's Afghanistan Support Program, will hold an online activity report meeting. Please join us!

Monday, May 10, 18:30-19:30
ZOOM, free of charge
Application (Deadline: May 7) https://sva.or.jp/wp/?p=40838

Publication of Evaluation Report

17th April 2021 21:00

• Children receiving hygiene kits ©SVA

JPF has posted evaluation reports (in English) on its website for the following support projects implemented by JPF member NGOs in Afghanistan. We will continue to post the completed projects on our website.

CWS Japan (CWS)
Mitigating drought impact through agricultural assistance in Bamyan

Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
Emergency protection, education, and WASH assistance to returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ)
Emergency WASH assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees and residents in Kandahar Province

Click on the “Program Evaluation Reports” tab to view the reports.

JEN’s WASH Improvement Project

30th March 2021 14:00

• Hygiene education ©JEN

JPF member NGO JEN is implementing a project to improve the WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) environment for internally displaced persons (IDPS), repatriated refugees, and their host communities in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. At the project site, JEN is also providing hygiene education trainings to help people learn about how to prevent new coronavirus infections.

UN Report on Security in Afghanistan

25th February 2021 7:00

According to a report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the number of civilian deaths due to armed conflict in Afghanistan in 2020 was 3,035 (including 390 women and 760 children), exceeding 3,000 for the seventh consecutive year. This is the first time since 2013 that the number of casualties, including 5,785 injured, has fallen below 10,000, while the number of women killed is the highest since they began to collect statistical data in 2009.

JPF began providing humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan in September 2001 and has since been closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and providing necessary support. Even after the start of peace negotiations in September 2020, the country is still facing worsening security due to armed conflict between the government forces and the Taliban and a series of explosions in the capital. On top of everything, Afghanistan also faces the COVID-19 pandemic. To prevent setbacks on humanitarian assistance, JPF will continue to provide support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and repatriated refugees in cooperation with our member NGOs including JEN, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), Save the Children Japan (SCJ), and Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA), which have been active as of the end of February 2021, and local organizations, while paying close attention to safety in our assistance provision.

Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis Response Plan

20th January 2021 11:30

• Community-based classroom ©SVA

As part of JPF's Response to Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis, JEN, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), Save the Children Japan (SCJ), and Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) are currently implementing projects in Kandahar, Kunar, and Nangahar to provide food, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), and health and nutrition assistance.

JPF's assistance program in Afghanistan is based on the Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis Response Plan and is implemented in line with local needs.

The response plan can be read here.

Also, please take a look at the JPF staff article on Afghanistan by going to the seventh article at the link below. This is part of a series of articles written by JPF staff called "A Look at the World through SDGs."
https://www.japanplatform.org/contents/SDGs/world/

19 December Online Event "Remember Afghanistan, Part 2”

9th December 2020 22:40

Following the Afghanistan 2020 Conference held on 23-24 November, we will discuss various topics regarding Afghanistan’s path to further reconstruction with participants from Afghan civil society. The topics include challenges Afghanistan faces in reconstruction, how Japan can contribute to the efforts, and the roles of governments and civil society and the strengthening of partnerships. Hiroki Shindo from JPF’s Overseas Programs Division, who was stationed in Afghanistan as a diplomat, will participate as a panelist. We look forward to your participation.

[Event Overview]
Capacity (currently being adjusted), but prior registration is required. This event is free of charge.
Date and time: Saturday, 19 December 2020, 15:00-17:00 (JST)
Venue: Online (Zoom)
Registration: Please click the link below and fill out the necessary information to register in advance. We will send you a link to participate.
(We may close registration based on the number of participants.)
https://bit.ly/3a8dPID

The event is hosted by some of the organizations from the JPF Afghanistan Working Group. Please direct your inquiries to the JPF Afghanistan Working Group Secretariat at afghanwg_jpf@googlegroups.com.

SVA's Project Featured on GPE's Blog

13th November 2020 12:00

Assistance activities by JPF member NGO Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) as a JPF program has been featured on the Global Partnership for Education's (GPE) blog.

GPE's blog post addresses literacy and non-formal education for youth and adults in Afghanistan during the new coronavirus pandemic and includes SVA's project as an example of a Japanese NGO's support for this cause. SVA's literacy and sewing classes for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and repatriated refugee women had to be temporarily suspended, but they conducted infection prevention training to teachers and students and were able to resume class on 1 April. The post also shows how small groups of students are learning in open spaces while maintaining sufficient distance from each other.

GPE's blog post in English

SCJ's Assistance in Afghanistan

25th October 2020 10:00

• ©SCJ

As part of the JPF program, JPF member NGO Save the Children Japan (SCJ) provides emergency health and nutrition services in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

SCJ supports vulnerable populations, especially children, through the provision of emergency health and nutrition services to internally displaced persons (IDPs), repatriated refugees, and others in conflict-affected areas. Pictured here is a screening of a child's nutritional status. They screen children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding.

SVA's Support for IDPs and Repatriated Refugees

25th September 2020 20:00

• Laying the foundation of the temporary classroom ©SVA
• Foundation work for women's toilets ©SVA

JPF member NGO Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) has been implementing education and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and repatriated refugees in Kunar Province.

Afghanistan has a large number of IDPs due to armed conflict, terrorism, and recent droughts and floods. In Kunar province, the influx of IDPs and repatriated refugees from neighboring countries has caused the school facilities to exceed their capacity. It has been difficult to maintain the minimum educational and WASH environments for students.

SVA is providing support to fix this situation, including the installation of temporary classrooms, installation of WASH facilities (such as toilets, water storage tanks, and hand washing stations), and the installation and distribution of classroom equipment and educational materials. This photo shows the completion of the foundation work for the temporary classrooms and toilets. SVA will continue to provide support to improve the educational environment for the children.

SVA’s Education and WASH Assistance

30th August 2020 10:00

JPF member NGO Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) has been implementing education and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and repatriated refugees in Kunar Province.

In Kunar Province, the influx of IDPs and repatriated refugees has caused school facilities to exceed their capacity, and the minimum standards for educational and WASH environments for students are not being met. In order to build temporary classrooms and water and sanitation facilities, SVA is sharing information and coordinating with school management committee members, community members, and government officials as they also proceed with the foundation work in the construction of temporary classrooms.

Towards More Equal Educational Opportunity through Online Learning Platform

31st July 2020 7:00

Amidst war and violence, gender discrimination and other barriers prevent many children from having access to education in Afghanistan. In this situation, an Afghan girl called Madina Walizada was interviewed by the United Nations. She is using Educate All, a free online learning platform provided by the UN, and overcoming barriers of discrimination. She said that the online materials give her the opportunity to learn regardless of her gender and other factors, and that it has given her the knowledge she needs to move closer to her dream of starting her own IT company.

Her interview can be seen here: https://news.un.org/en/audio/2020/07/1068001

SVA’s Program in Afghanistan

28th May 2020 4:00

• Beneficiary school’s condition before project implementation (*Photo taken before the spread of COVID-19) ©SVA
• Beneficiary school’s condition before project implementation (*Photo taken before the spread of COVID-19) ©SVA

As a JPF grant project, JPF member NGO Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) has been implementing education and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and repatriated refugees in Kunar Province in Afghanistan. Due to conflict and natural disasters, many Afghans have become refugees and IDPs, and it has been difficult for the children among them to receive education regularly.

SVA’s project secures access to educational opportunities and WASH services for these children through distributing educational materials as well as setting up temporary learning spaces and WASH facilities. The objective is to have children attend safe schools so that the risks of child abuse, child labor, and child recruitment into becoming soldiers can be diminished. The project will allow for around 1,300 children to learn in safe schools.

Due to the spread of COVID-19, project implementation must be accompanied by careful considerations for the prevention of infections. The local staff at the SVA office in Afghanistan attended the infection prevention workshop by World Health Organization (WHO), and learned about the types of knowledge and information about infection prevention that they need to impart to their beneficiaries and to others involved in the implementation of their projects.

Please see here for more details: https://bit.ly/3c4nXPI

CWS’s Reservoir Now Collecting Water

30th April 2020 10:41

• ©CWS

As a JPF grant project, JPF member NGO CWS Japan (CWS) has been providing agricultural assistance in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, to help alleviate the loss brought on by the drought. Due to a decrease in the amount of rain in the winter of 2017 and 2018, a large-scale drought occurred in the country and the irrigation channels were dried up. CWS had been working to assist farmers who were affected by the drought, lost their farmland, and were struggling to make ends meet by fixing irrigation facilities. In this picture, you can see how water has returned to the reservoir. Use of this water can not only secure food safety but also lead to revitalization of livelihood as people’s incomes increase.

CWS’s posts can be found here:
https://twitter.com/Japan_CWS/status/1254539297744539648
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_dfKIylez0/

Poultry Farming Program for Women

23rd March 2020 15:00

• ©CWS Japan

JPF member NGO CWS Japan (CWS) is providing agricultural assistance in Afghanistan to help alleviate the loss brought on by the drought. CWS’s work includes a project targeting women that provides them with chickens and trains them in poultry farming techniques. During this training, women learn about feeding and sanitation control of the chicken coop. We hope that the agricultural assistance programs contribute to improved income for the displaced, which would then lead to better overall livelihood for the people.

Speaking to Students about Assistance for Afghanistan in an International Understanding Class at Japan Women’s University Junior High School

18th February 2020 11:00

• 

On 15th February, JPF staff had the pleasure of visiting the international understanding class at Japan Women’s University Junior High School to speak about our assistance program in Afghanistan. The students had sent us their papers on Afghanistan beforehand, all of which impressed as they were thoroughly and clearly written. We posed the question, “How can you contribute to peace in Afghanistan?” and we saw so many great ideas including collecting donations, donating school supplies, knowing more about Afghanistan, telling people about the country, and learning their languages.

In class, JPF staff spoke to the students about JPF’s assistance program in Afghanistan, and also talked about his own experiences as staff. He touched on the cases of Afghan people during the 2015 European refugee crisis where they travelled across the Mediterranean by boat to head for Germany and other European nations.

While we are not sure if we delivered exactly what the students were expecting, we are still hopeful that this international understanding class served as an opportunity for the students to feel even closer to Afghanistan and their people, as well as others around the world, who are in need of assistance.

Attending SVA’s Reporting Session

17th February 2020 13:07

On 12th February, JPF staff attended the reporting session on Afghanistan hosted by our member NGO Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA). SVA’s local staff who works in Afghanistan had come to Japan and spoke at the session about the conditions in the country while providing updates. This was an invaluable experience to get first-person accounts of how life is like for the people in Afghanistan. For example, it was convincing to hear how girls’ low participation rate in schooling is not necessarily due to the teachings of Islam but largely due to their parents’ concerns about the school environment in Afghanistan today.

After the session, we had an opportunity to speak with SVA’s Afghan staff who had also come to Japan, and he had left a message for junior high school students with whom we will have an international understanding class about Afghanistan on 15th February. It is our hope that the staff working in Afghanistan will continue to engage in their projects safely.

Visit SVA’s website here: https://sva.or.jp/

JPF Member NGO SVA Hosting an Event on Afghanistan’s Conditions and Education

25th January 2020 11:00

JPF member NGO Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) has been implementing protection, education, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and repatriated refugees in Nangarhar and Kunar Provinces in Afghanistan. They are hosting an event in Tokyo to coincide with the visit of their Afghanistan office staff to Japan. Please see the event details below.

Afghanistan Office Staff Japan Visit Event: “We Want to Protect Books and Education from Conflict”
- Date & Time: Wednesday 12th February 2020, 19:00-20:30 (Registration beginning at 18:30)
- Venue: READYFOR Inc. (Address: Sumitomo Real Estate Fukuoka Hanzomon Building 2nd Floor, 1-12-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

On the Passing of Dr. Tetsu Nakamura

4th December 2019 23:25

We were greatly saddened to hear of the untimely death of Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, a physician and the field representative of Peshawar-kai. Dr. Nakamura has devoted his efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan for many years, working on medical aid and rural reconstruction projects there. We would like to express our sincere condolences to his family, the families of others who have lost their lives with him, the local staff of his organization, and others who knew and worked with them.

Dr. Nakamura considered it of utmost importance that he respects the local people and builds a trusting relationship with them. We hope to follow in his footsteps as we continue our own work in Afghanistan with our member NGOs. Once again, we would like to express our deepest sympathies.

Mainichi Shimbun newspaper has posted a video on its YouTube channel today entitled, “Trust is Most Important - Words Left by Dr. Tetsu Nakamura”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4_L-MIx0Lg

SVA Training Local Teachers

19th November 2019 11:27

• Providing training for primary school teachers ©SVA

In Afghanistan, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA), a JPF member NGO, is supporting refugee and migrant children in their education. SVA is offering trainings for schoolteachers as part of educational assistance for this population. Teachers play a vital role in the education of children, especially in following the curricula set by the Afghan Ministry of Education. Through this program, SVA is also promoting women to flourish in Afghan society while respecting the culture of the land where gender roles are clearly demarcated. We hope that the program leads to creating an environment where female teachers can be actively involved and successful in their careers.

You can read SVA's activity report here: https://sva.or.jp/wp/?p=35998

Creating a Safe Space for Children to Study: Shanti Volunteer Association

29th October 2019 23:00

As a JPF grant project, JPF member NGO Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) has been implementing protection, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), and education programs to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and repatriated residents in Nangarhar and Kunar Provinces in Afghanistan. As part of their educational program, SVA is planning on hosting classes for children (in primary educational grades 1 through 6) who are living under the influence of conflict and disaster. It is our hope that SVA’s program helps establish an environment where the children’s desire to learn is valued and cultivated.

Please find SVA’s activity report here: https://sva.or.jp/wp/?p=35615

Emergency Response to Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan: Contributing to Improving Livelihood through Agricultural Assistance

10th September 2019 19:30

• Agricultural assistance program ©CWS

JPF member NGO CWS Japan, in coordination with their local partner CWSA, has been providing agricultural assistance in Bamiyan to help alleviate the loss brought on by the drought. As CWS supports the local community in the development of irrigation facilities and poultry farming, there is hope for improvement in the livelihood for the farmers who are beneficiaries of this program.

Please find CWS’s activity report here: https://bit.ly/2kreEEZ

Emergency Response to Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan: Gaining access to water needed for survival

20th August 2019 19:30

• First spray of water comes out of the well built together with residents ©SVA
• Residents learn about how to maintain and manage the well ©SVA

Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA), a JPF member NGO, is building wells to secure access to clean water and providing education on water, sanitation and hygiene, in the eastern region of Afghanistan as one of the aid programs targeting repatriated refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The region where SVA is delivering aid had a large inflow of IDPs fleeing from neighboring regions that had deteriorated in safety. This had led to existing wells being overused. Due to these circumstances, the new and much-needed well was finally completed and a ceremony was held to hand it over to the residents.
With the completion of the new well, locals can now procure the water they need from within their own community. A committee that manages the well was formed among residents and they received training to learn about how to maintain and manage the well.
▼See here for SVA’s activity report
https://sva.or.jp/wp/?p=34894

Emergency Response to Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan: Improving the lives of repatriated refugees and IDPs

24th July 2019 22:0

• Explaining the program to the local community ©SVA

Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA), a JPF member NGO, is launching three programs in Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan and other locations for the rapidly increasing number of repatriated refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), focusing on the empowerment of women, educational support through community-based classrooms, construction of wells for securing water supply and educating people on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
To empower women, SVA has created a place where women can gather, with the aim that these women will acquire basic knowledge about gender, sanitation and hygiene, and the protection of children. As for providing educational support through community-based classrooms, SVA is providing a place where children out of school can receive educational opportunities. Lastly, in terms of construction of wells for securing water supply and educating people on WASH, they are working to resolve the lack of water in communities where many IDPs and repatriated refugees live and improve their sanitation and hygiene conditions.
▼See here for SVA’s activity report
https://sva.or.jp/wp/?p=34515

Emergency Response to Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan: Changes in the community after raising awareness for water, sanitation and hygiene

12th July 2019 22:00

• At a community cleanup ©SVA

Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA), a JPF member NGO, is running a JPF-funded program to raise awareness for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the eastern region of Afghanistan.
SVA is teaching them how to prevent and treat waterborne diseases. One participant of a WASH session said, “I learned a lot about waste treatment and waterborne diseases. I would like to put what I learned into practice in my everyday life, and try to stay healthy and avoid getting sick.”
▼See here for SVA’s activity report
https://sva.or.jp/wp/?p=34251

Humanitarian Response to Afghanistan: Distributing Water Hygiene Kits to Children

21st June 2019 19:30

• Children receiving hygiene kits ©SVA

As a JPF grant project, JPF member NGO Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) is implementing water and hygiene awareness-raising activities in eastern Afghanistan for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and repatriated refugees from Pakistan.

In 2018, SVA provided water hygiene training for over 100 schoolteachers, and the teachers, in turn, are educating the children about proper handwashing based on SVA’s advice. So far, hygiene kits have been distributed to over 5,000 primary school students. The kit includes soap, toilet paper, a toothbrush, and a towel, and the children can practice at home what they learned in water hygiene education at school, which enables them to protect their families’ and their own health.

Article about this project by the SVA can be read here: https://sva.or.jp/wp/?p=33782

Humanitarian Response to Afghanistan: People Caught in the Conflict - Landmines Take the Lives of 7 Children

17th May 2019 19:30

On 11th May, Jiji.com news (Jiji Press Ltd.) reported that 7 children were killed and two were injured in the landmine explosion in Ghazni Province in eastern Afghanistan.

Due to the long civil conflict in Afghanistan, there are landmines as well as unexploded, rocket, or homemade bombs left in various places throughout the country, and many civilians continue to be victimized by them. Just last month, it was reported that seven were killed and ten injured in the eastern province of Laghman when children were playing with unexploded bombs.

Humanitarian Response to Afghanistan: JPF Member NGO CWS Continuing Assistance for People Affected by the Drought

20th March 2019 19:00

As a JPF grant project, JPF member NGO CWS Japan (CWS) is continuing the support for the people in Bamyan, Afghanistan, who are affected by the drought. The drought has resulted in difficulties securing income and food for the long-term. For these residents, the project supports the rebuilding of their livelihood as they secure food and income so that their lives become more independent and that they can maintain their health.

Humanitarian Response to Afghanistan: JPF Member NGO Peace Winds Japan Continuing Assistance for People Affected by the Drought

25th January 2019 23:00

As a JPF grant project, JPF member NGO Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) is continuing the support for the people in Afghanistan who are affected by the serious drought that occurs every year. Their relief activities are implemented in partnership with a local NGO.

PWJ distributes daily essential items to households, digs wells, and repairs underground water channels that are locally referred to as ”kariz” (or “qanat” in other parts of the world) to help bring safe water to the people affected by the severe drought in the local communities.