The welfare system in Myanmar (Burma) lags significantly behind those of other Asia-Pacific nations. AAR JAPAN opened its office in the capital city of Yangon (Rangoon) in 1999, and began running a vocational training center (VTC) for people with disabilities in the following year. AAR JAPAN has also been implementing community-based rehabilitation (CBR) projects, as well as supporting children with disabilities through a foster parent system.
Vocational Training Center (VTC) for People with Disabilities
The VTC provides people with disabilities with training in tailoring, hairstyling, and computers. Most trainees suffer from physical disabilities resulting from landmine accidents and diseases such as polio. After completing the course, the VTC continues to support graduates so they can gain employment, open their own shops, or become teachers at the center themselves, enabling them to achieve social and economic independence.
Trainees learn hairstyling skills at the VTC.
Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR)
In order to build a society in which all people — regardless of whether they have disabilities — can live together harmoniously, it is essential to actively engage people in their own communities. It is this principle that forms the basis of community-based rehabilitation (CBR), in which people living in the community take a leading role in social development. Since 2009, AAR JAPAN has been implementing CBR efforts in Myanmar (Burma) such as assistance for self-help groups for people with disabilities, schooling support, livelihood support, and the promotion of universal design.
To make up for a lack of learning materials for children with disabilities, people in the community made them themselves.
Assistance for Children with Disabilities through the Foster Parent System
In Myanmar (Burma), children with disabilities suffer from both a lack of facilities and a shortage of experts who can offer them the care they need. AAR JAPAN has been implementing the Program for the Future of the Children of Myanmar, giving children with intellectual or physical disabilities access to rehabilitation and giving them a chance to develop their abilities to become productive members of society.
AAR JAPAN has been supporting children with intellectual and physical disabilities in Myanmar.
Emergency Assistance for Cyclone Giri (October 2010 - March 2011)
AAR JAPAN carried out emergency relief operations for the people affected by Cyclone Giri in October 2010. These efforts ended in March 2011.
Emergency Assistance for Cyclone Nargis (May 2008 - August 2010)
Immediately after cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar on May 2nd, 2008, AAR JAPAN dispatched staff to distribute emergency relief supplies. After supporting recovery in the aftermath of this powerful cyclone, operations were concluded in August 2010.
Myanmar
The VTC provides people with disabilities with training in tailoring, hairstyling, and computers. Most trainees suffer from physical disabilities resulting from landmine accidents and diseases such as polio. After completing the course, the VTC continues to support graduates so they can gain employment, open their own shops, or become teachers at the center themselves, enabling them to achieve social and economic independence. 
In order to build a society in which all people — regardless of whether they have disabilities — can live together harmoniously, it is essential to actively engage people in their own communities. It is this principle that forms the basis of community-based rehabilitation (CBR), in which people living in the community take a leading role in social development. Since 2009, AAR JAPAN has been implementing CBR efforts in Myanmar (Burma) such as assistance for self-help groups for people with disabilities, schooling support, livelihood support, and the promotion of universal design.
In Myanmar (Burma), children with disabilities suffer from both a lack of facilities and a shortage of experts who can offer them the care they need. AAR JAPAN has been implementing the Program for the Future of the Children of Myanmar, giving children with intellectual or physical disabilities access to rehabilitation and giving them a chance to develop their abilities to become productive members of society.