By Karryn Miller

Lifestyle Feb. 01, 2009 - 06:41AM JST ( 3 )

TOKYO —

Mention Palestine and most people think of the Gaza strip, a coastal enclave plagued by violent conflict. Decades of unrest have scarred the region, and prospects for peace seem dim — 80% of Gaza’s population relies on charitable food assistance. But despite the sad state of affairs, the Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC) remains hopeful that the situation can and will improve.

In 2003, the Tokyo-based NPO started a nutrition program in Gaza, as well as a project to raise awareness of the problems in the Middle East. The volunteer group works jointly with Palestine-based NPOs to offer milk and iron-fortified biscuits to schoolchildren caught in the crossfire.

The current escalation of hostilities in the Gaza strip has broadened the scope of JVC’s efforts in the region. “Emergency aid is our priority,” explains Rika Fujiya, the NPO’s program officer for Palestine. “It’s not easy to move into Gaza, but we’ll be ready when it’s possible.” With international aid workers unable to enter the conflict zone, JVC is providing finances to local NGOs. “We were recently able to send $10,000 to support the local organizations we’re working with,” Fujiya says. “This is only the first step. We want to send more.”

“We know aid can’t solve the root of the problem but we need to take action now,” adds JVC deputy secretary general Kazuhita Suga. “Our direction has always been about going there first and seeing what we can do, rather than discussing the long-term plans. Other nonprofits may say, ‘Let’s have a strategy first.’ That does make sense, but through our experience, we’ve found that unless we go there and discuss the issue with the local people, it’s meaningless — we lose sight of what we need to do.”

JVC was born out of the need to act fast. The group formed in 1980 in Thailand, where Japanese volunteers traveled to offer help to refugees from Indochina. As the group grew, it maintained a “take action first” attitude while simultaneously developing longer-term projects.

“When it’s an emergency situation like Gaza, we make a quick decision about how we’re going to respond,” Suga explains. “Emergencies come under the humanitarian side of the organization.” Under this umbrella, JVC runs projects in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Sudan and even North Korea, ranging from providing skills training to Sudanese refugees to offering medical care to Iraqi children with leukemia, believed to be caused by exposure to American depleted uranium weapons left over from the Gulf War in 1991.

“We also run community development projects abroad that require a more in-depth understanding of the society,” says Suga. Such programs are predominately in Southeast Asia — Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand — as well as in South Africa. “Capable local people are given the first priority when it comes to working on these projects,” says Suga. “We want to give the community the first opportunity, but anyone can raise their hand to help out.”

Community development projects vary with each country’s needs. In Cambodia, JVC runs sustainable agriculture training programs for farmers, operates a technical school, and does advocacy work to help prevent the loss of farmland due to environmental degradation. In South Africa, the group’s primary concern is raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and providing food to AIDS orphans.

At home, JVC organizes “country groups” that meet once a week at the organization’s Ueno office. Each team develops plans to help a specific region. “The Palestine group recently organized a lecture and peace march,” says Fujiya. “They also sell embroidery made in Palestine.”

Those interested in getting involved should consider attending Skylines, an event organized by Sarajean Rossitto in support of JVC’s Palestine projects. The evening of eating, drinking and networking will take place Feb 28 at Harajuku restaurant Fujimamas. JVC also welcomes donations at any time, as well as accepting volunteers.

“We work with the people — not just for the people,” Fujiya says. “Countries will always face difficulties, whether they’re political or environmental, but our main concern is the people. We want everyone to live with dignity.”

For more information about JVC, see www.ngo-jvc.net, email info@ngo-jvc.net or call 03-3834-2388.

Skylines. Feb 28, 5-7:30 p.m. Admission 5,000 yen in advance, 7,000 yen on the day. Includes appetizers and a glass of wine. Fujimamas: 6-3-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. See http://pscnetwork.wordpress.com for more information and email skillsbuild@gmail.com to RSVP.

This story originally appeared in Metropolis magazine (www.metropolis.co.jp).