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Winds Japan 2-11-5 Sakurashinmachi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0015 Japan Telephone: +81-3-5451-5400 Facsimilie: +81-3-5451-5401 www.peace-winds.org meet@peace-winds.org |
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Special Appreciation to |
| Annual Report FY2002 Top Message From the Chairperson Iraq and Afghanistan Mongolia Indonesia East Timor Sierra Leone Activities in Japan Focusing on the Future Major Activities in FY2002 List of Overseas Offices Time Line Organizational Structure Financial Statement for FY2002 PWJ English Top |
| Iraq
and Afghanistan A Journey of Humanitarian Successes and Lessons, Striving for Peace Under Conflict Situations Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) has, since its establishment in 1996,  emphasized
support for people who are suffering in the turmoil of conflicts. This is because
we believe that it is under such situations that humanitarian relief unique to
NGOs is most needed. After launching our relief activities in the Kurdistan Autonomous
Region (KAR, northern Iraq) in 1996, we have gradually expanded our scale of activities
to include Mongolia, Kosovo, Indonesia, East Timor, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan,
where armed conflicts and natural disasters have left behind devastated lands.
Conflicts put even the basics of life at risk. Self-reliance becomes impossible for the victimized people. Yet, diplomatic efforts achieve little if governmental functions are paralyzed. Conversely, diplomatic ties can also make it difficult for foreign governments or international organizations to take immediate relief actions. In 1999, for example,  many
countries hesitated to react to the chaotic situation in East Timor because of
their diplomatic relations with the Indonesian government. NGOs, on the other
hand, took advantage of their "non-governmental" strengths and rendered
timely assistance. The same may be applied to areas where minority groups and other socially vulnerable people are suffering hardships under existing regimes, as in the case of Iraq under the old regime. In KAR, PWJ has, together with its humanitarian work, continued to report the problems that the area is being confronted by, but which the world is unaware. A Firm Footing in the Field Equipped with Expertise Our activities in conflict areas are accompanied by danger. Social infrastructures are destroyed, transportation and communication networks are torn, and security systems, non-existent. In  most
cases, Japanese residents, including PWJ staff, are advised by their government
to swiftly evacuate the area. To carry out effective operations in such a situation
requires far more than a willingness to help. Simple heroism is nothing but harmful.
Ample know-how in collecting sufficient information and the mobility to ensure
quick action are indispensable. Advanced technology, refined logistics, and the
ability to undertake even large-scale construction work are required. At the same
time, one must not overlook the importance of communication with the local people
to ensure understanding and to build trust. PWJ believes that risks may be measured
and effective support may be realized only when our footing is firmly based in
the field and equipped with expertise.Aiming Beyond Post-Conflict Assistance Our aim is not only emergency relief nor post-conflict assistance. PWJ has the ambition to prevent conflict through its humanitarian activities. For example, a construction project may lead to disarmament if ex-combatants are given jobs. By working together, old foes may become friends and colleagues. Also, improved living environment will bring about hope for the future, whereas dissatisfied minds may bear the seed of new conflict. Thus, we believe that it is not unreasonable for NGOs, as a third party, to contribute to conflict prevention. Determined to Remain Where We are Needed Most In the summer of 2001, PWJ was preparing to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sarepul, northern Afghanistan.  Afghanistan,
then under the Taliban Regime, was a region long isolated from the rest of the
world. Aid endeavors hardly reached the region for years despite its ravaged situation
caused by draught and conflicts. Then, on September 11th, the terrorist attacks on the US occurred, followed by US military operations against the Taliban Regime, forcing us to temporarily withdraw from the field. For a while the situation prevented even humanitarian aid workers from entering the country. It was close to December when PWJ launched its emergency relief operations, finally reaching the people who awaited our help. The experience of failing to render support at the most critical moments left deep-rooted regret in our minds. A year from then, the world shook in fear of war in Iraq. We immediately prepared ourselves for emergency relief operations, determined not to repeat our regret in Afghanistan. We had made up our minds to stay where our support would be needed most. Afghanistan--- A Long and Painful Road Ahead  As
long-awaited rains dampened the dried-up grounds in the spring of 2002, the roughly
6,000 families who had spent the winter under tents distributed by PWJ returned
to their respective communities. The state of emergency had finally come to an
end and reconstruction had begun. The path to the reconstruction of Afghanistan
is long and harsh, as the country has been ravaged by years of wars, draughts,
and air raids. PWJ is now making full effort to pave this path as securely as
possible.Back to Northern Iraq ---Shaken with Worries PWJ has, since 1996, continued to assist the people in the KAR. For long, the region has suffered from oppression by the Hussein Regime in addition to the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq by the international society. People have been chased from villages, victimized by landmines, and left in despair with little support. Under such circumstances, PWJ has been engaged in a variety of projects including medical assistance, water supply, literacy education, and vocational training. Fear of war mounted in Iraq towards the end of 2002, leading to its outbreak in March the following year. By that time, PWJ had prepared for the worst. We had doubled our mobile medical teams from 6 to12, increased our pharmaceutical stockpile, and stored basic supplies. Thus, we could immediately launch emergency relief operations, focusing on support for the sick and those who were forced to take refuge, even before the war. A Similarity Between Afghanistan and Northern Iraq ---Our Concerns We see a certain similarity between the situations in Afghanistan and northern Iraq. For years the Kurds suffered under the Hussein Regime while the international society remained apathetic.  The
Afghans likewise suffered isolation under the Taliban Regime. The all-out military
attacks on these two nations once dominated the media's attention, but only while
battles were fought and sensational stories were told. Once the sensation was
over, concern passed into oblivion, leaving behind in the stricken fields many
people who still need support from the international society. Such trend is common
not only in Afghanistan and Iraq, but in all the areas of PWJ's activities: Sierra
Leone, East Timor, Indonesia, and Mongolia. Their path to rehabilitation is long
and harsh, while there is little to draw particular attention. Therefore it is
our intention, while carrying out humanitarian assistance, to frequently report
on the situations in the fields and to keep appealing to the international community
the need for assistance. |
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