Urgent Appeal -- Typhoon No.16 in the Philippines

AAR staff members hand delivered daily necessities to each persons with disabilities. Juri Hiroya from AAR JAPAN Tokyo Office (left)

The Philippines was struck by Typhoon No.16 on September 26, 2009. More than 4.3 million people were affected and about 100,000 houses were destroyed by the severe typhoon. AAR JAPAN dispatched its staff members to the country and has been carrying out urgent support activities since October 2. We studied the damages and learned that the support for persons with disabilities as the most urgent task. Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc (TWHI), an association for the disabled in Cainta, Rizal province, suffered extensive damages to their wheelchair and prosthetics manufacturing workshops and dormitories. Foods and basic necessities such as antiseptics were delivered to 375 households (approximately 1800 people) that used the facilities. We also provided 50 mattresses for those with severe disabilities. Evacuation centers are being closed down, but the outlook for most of those who lost their houses is uncertain. AAR JAPAN is planning further delivery of foods and necessities primarily to the poor and persons with disabilities.

Urgent Appeal -- Earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia

A destroyed house in Padang City. It will be long before reconstruction.

On September 30, 2009, Indonesia was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 which occurred off Sumatra. Over 1,100 people have been found dead or are still missing and more than 120,000 houses destroyed. AAR JAPAN dispatched two staff members to the island on October 4 and began its urgent relief activities. Padang City, West Sumatra, located near the center of the earthquake, was utterly devastated, and little aid had reached households with disabled family members. Working together with ten schools where children with disabilities living in Padang City study, AAR JAPAN delivered foods and basic necessities to 565 households (approximately 2,800 people). However, many victims still spoke of their desperation, “We don’t have rice for tomorrow.” We will continue to deliver necessities such as rice, drinks, canned food and other foods.