| Peace
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 |
| Sierra
Leone Support for Those Taunted by Conflict Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) has been active in Sierra Leone since 2001, when thousands of Sierra Leonean refugees surged to their homeland. There were two factors that prompted this movement. Firstly, signs of peace had begun to appear in Sierra Leone after over 10 consecutive years of internal conflict. Secondly, wars in neighboring countries, where many Sierra Leoneans were taking refuge, escalated. Most of the returnees originated from areas in Sierra Leone where particularly severe battles were fought, such as Kono and Kailahun Districts. These areas remained unstable even after the peace accords had been set, leaving many returnees stranded, unable to go back to their hometown even after their return. To cope with the situation, PWJ constructed and operated a returnee camp, providing water, foods, and living necessities for such people.  In early
2002, the situation finally calmed down on a nationwide scale, allowing camp residents
to head home. In step with this movement PWJ shifted its assistance to Kono District,
where needs of assistance were staggering. Here, we are focusing on well construction.
By securing safe water, we are ensuring the stability of people's lives in the
villages. Another pillar of our activities in Sierra Leone is assistance for Liberian refugees. The influx of Liberian refugees to Sierra Leone became noticeable beginning in the summer of 2001. As the number kept increasing, PWJ was prompted to launch humanitarian assistance for Liberian refugees in addition to its support for Sierra Leonean returnees. We are now managing 2 out of 8 camps for Liberian refugees. Our activities include supplying water, food, and shelter, constructing schools and wells, and implementing hygiene education. As a camp management agency, PWJ also functions as a focal point among other collaborating organs working in the camps, supporting liaison and coordination efforts. Moreover, by undertaking activities such as school construction in the villages that hosts 
the camps, we strive to maintain good relationship with the local community.The number of Liberian refugees that fled into Sierra Leone totaled over 50,000 in the year 2002, and the situation is yet critical. Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire must also cope with social and political volatility. Although Sierra Leone is now calm, unease is mounting in West Africa as a whole. Regretfully, problems here seldom draw the interest of the international community. Calling for attention and appealing for support is an urgent issue. PWJ intends to cooperate positively in disseminating such information while continuing its humanitarian activities. |
