by Damion Mannings30 September 2007 was a rainy Sunday that didn't dampen the energy at the 10th People for Social Change (PSC) forum on Disaster Prevention. New and familiar faces came to learn about the cause and skills necessary to sustain NGOs in this mission. The panelists' overview of their respective organizations detailed the process of rebuilding after natural disasters strike.
Peace Winds Japan
Masaharu (Marc) Saito, representing Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), talked about the eleven year old organization's role in providing domestic and international relief. As of 2006, PWJ has a recorded 2.7 million recipients in sixteen countries. In September of 2007, PWJ became active in six countries. Most importantly, PWJ was on the scene after the Niigata earthquake earlier this year. Flexibility remains a strong point of the organization which doesn't discriminate if support is needed in Northern Pakistan or New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina.
PWJ provides humanitarian assistance for reconstruction. Mr Saito stressed that the organization's focus is to exclusively respond to emergencies. What does that entail? Distributing essentials like shelter (tents), reinforcements (food and water) and medical equipment. Upon arrival at the location of an earthquake or flood, PWJ does a needs assessment and responds accordingly. Commodities provide the energy required to mobilize those affected. Removing debris is less daunting when there is food and shelter throughout the day.
PWJ's website has more information. Helping out is easy. You can donate frequent flyer miles--which benefits the ever mobile PWJ staff. There is an online clicking feature on the site which contributes to funding. If you apply for a JCB credit card a percentage is donated to PWJ. And, you can shop fair trade at PWJ and Yahoo. We may not be able to lend a hand but a click definitely counts.
JEN
Ai Tanaka, the program officer at JEN, gave a charismatic presentation about her desire to be a part of social change. She shared about her educational administration background, studying in the States and working for the UN. It is interesting how her convictions led to her current position.
Ms. Tanaka clarified that JEN is the new name after formerly being recognized as Japan Emergency NGOs. Her overview included the organization's inception in 1994, in the former Yugoslavia and its mission to meet local needs in conflict countries. Education and water/sanitation are top priorities with a focus on self-reliance and psycho-social care. Women and children remain primary recipients.
Visuals were on hand to show the after effects of the Niigata earthquake. It was touching to see and hear about locals at the Nishiyama shelter, who were mostly displaced seniors living alone. The pictures of seniors and youngsters conveyed that inter-generational bonds, especially in times of crises, restore the heart and faith in moving ahead.
Issues after the earthquake required solutions for gaps within affected communities: care for elderly above the age of 65--more than half the population; and, most importantly, providing the psychosocial remedies to deal with a "complex cultural context" in which the elderly are reticent about their problems. Mental difficulties like fear, anxiety and depression often persist after earthquakes.
Action post-disaster is to deploy volunteers who help out as needed. Ms. Tanaka concluded that mental stress is often eased through sharing concerns. Also, when genuine needs are elicited local needs are enhanced. For JEN, rebuilding is contingent upon knowing, acting, and sharing.
If your library is collecting dust at home donate them to JEN. Proceeds from books help fund their on-going projects.
Medecins du Monde Japon
If the pen is mightier than the sword Prune Helfter of Medecins du Monde Japon (MdMJ) exemplifies that a well-rounded academic career can prepare anyone to spearhead a mission for social change. The third panelist at the Disaster Prevention forum, Ms. Helfter was keen on sharing how her academic and business skills have been instrumental in the NGO sector where increasing professionalism and accountability guarantee trust, especially in donors.
Established in France in 1980 and in Japan in 1995 after the much-mentioned Kobe earthquake, MdMJ is an international network of physicians and 1,200 volunteers engaged in 300 projects, in 100 countries. MdMJ's goals are two-fold. First, to provide medical care to vulnerable populations: victims of poverty, famine, etc. Also, via the delivery of medication and in reconstructing medical structures. And second, to bear witness--without being mere spectators but in denouncing human rights violations and bringing experience back from the field.
Advocacy campaigns executed by MdMJ are in accordance with attaining the (somewhat elusive) Millennium Development Goals. Eliminating violence against women is paramount, as well as providing migrants with access to health care. When skilled health care providers gain know-how in developing areas they often seek opportunities in the U.K. or the States. As a result, fighting medical 'brain drain' is crucial in restoring the well being of a people and their nation.Effective outreach areas are in health and nutrition as well as HIV prevention. In order to reach those below the radar of resources, MdMJ conducts fund-raising events and accepts donations, as well as volunteer administrative support in French and Japanese. If global health is your passion, you can travel as a volunteer, purchase NGO products or submit innovative ideas.
Save the Children Japan
Hiroshi Miyashita closed the presentations with a thorough overview of Save the Children Japan (SCJ). Based in Myanmar for three years until mid-2007, Mr. Miyashita talked passionately about fighting for children's rights. Simultaneously with his talk, monks were being massacred in a tropical junta, the place where he had recently served.
Founded in 1919, SC promotes children's rights in over 120 countries. Education, Mother/Child Medical Care/Nutrition, Children with HIV/AIDS and Emergency Response to Conflict Areas are the organizations focus. In regions like Nepal, the aforementioned Myanmar, Vietnam and Afghanistan, Micro Credit is also utilized in SC's agenda for empowering recipients.
Mr. Miyashita said the issue of child brides is a big concern. Involving communities, governments, children and parents create more awareness. Speaking Out, a SC campaign, has proven to be successful in advocating children's rights internationally. Speaking Out uses children's voices, stories and photos in a multi-media context to articulate their struggles and aspirations. Volunteers participating with Speaking Out play games and do group work with the children. Speaking Out is a form of therapeutic art, or a creative outlet, that quells harrowing experiences while rebuilding self-confidence and esteem.
Like PWJ, SC collaborates with Northwest Airlines for mileage donations. Interested? You can intern, volunteer or use your credit card to support their honorable missions and/or make donations.
Get involved!
MOVING FORWARDThe Disaster Prevention forum closed with Q&As and group discussions. Among other topics, the audience was curious about the panelists' role in responding to crises, how fundraising was managed, and the relationship between the Japanese government and NGOs regarding controversial areas like North Korea that sometimes need support. The 10th PSC forum was also relevant considering the frequent reminders in Tokyo media about the anticipated Kanto earthquake. As observers, disaster footage in the media is usually unsettling. The panelists' experience revealed that preparing for the unexpected goes beyond our emergency kits. Rebuilding our homes, communities and lives will depend not only on our prowess, but how we support each other.
