NICCO (known as "Nikko") is an international cooperation NGO that started in Kyoto in 1979. Its headquarters is now in Takatsuki, Osaka, and it works to help local people become economically and mentally self-reliant.
Since its founding, NICCO has worked on self-reliance support in developing countries, refugee assistance and relief after natural disasters in Japan and overseas, and has operated in 26 countries and regions across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Its current main projects are humanitarian aid in Myanmar and Ukraine and rural support in Malawi.
In Japan, it also offers many ways to take part, such as sending a survey team after an earthquake in Kumamoto, activity report meetings, talks for students, and a book-donation program called "Charibon." NICCO has also completed the JANIC Accountability Self-Check 2021.
Key points
- Three pillars carried on since 1979: emergency relief, self-reliance support and human resource development
- Projects in several regions, including Myanmar, Ukraine and Malawi
- Many ways to take part, from donations and used-book giving to charity runners, volunteering and internships
Why this organization's work stands out
NICCO takes on both urgent situations caused by disasters and conflict and patient support for rebuilding livelihoods in rural areas. Making care for the environment a core of its self-reliance support is also a useful reference.
Its website organizes information disclosure, project blogs and activity reports, making it easy to follow what the organization is doing when considering support.
Editor's comment
Learning how NICCO has faced the issues of each era for more than 40 years shows how long-term international cooperation can be.
Latest reports on each project and ways to take part are on the official website. Please take a look.