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Worood, 8, is from Syria. In February 2013, she lost her arm after she and her family were injured in a bombing. For several weeks, Handicap International’s partner in Syria has been providing her with physiotherapy care. The organisation is able to assist Worood with support from the EU’s humanitarian aid and civil protection service (ECHO) and its local partner in Syria.

Two months after Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti on 4 October 2016, 1.4 million people still need assistance. Handicap International is continuing its emergency response in aid of the disaster’s victims.

Ahmad, Zakia and their five children fled their village a month ago. They now live in Khazer camp with tens of thousands of other people displaced from their homes since last October. Still heavily traumatised by the two years they lived under the control of the Islamic State group, Ahmad and his wife welcomed one of Handicap International’s teams into their tent for a psychosocial support session.

Nearly a month ago, Sinat’s family arrived in Khazer camp, where some 30,000 people who have fled Mosul and its surroundings now live. Sinat suffers from cerebral palsy and her parents are worried about her health. She was recently visited by one of Handicap International’s teams, who immediately began providing her with physiotherapy care.

Two weeks ago, Tiba fled the city of Mosul with her family and took refuge in Khazer camp for displaced people, not too far from the front lines. To make her life easier and to help her move around, Handicap International will shortly provide her with mobility aids.

Reema is 72. She is from Gogjali, a village located near the city of Mosul. Three weeks ago, she fled the fighting and arrived in Khazer camp for displaced people, with her family. Suffering from several illnesses, she only survives with their help. Handicap International’s emergency team paid her a visit. 

Adopted ten years ago by the United Nations, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has since been ratified by 168 States, including Canada. The Convention marked a major step forward in disability rights. However, people with disabilities still suffer serious and multiple discriminations. To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, Handicap International is calling on States to meet their commitments under the Convention and to immediately implement measures to ensure all people with disabilities are included in society. 

Anne Héry, Director of Advocacy at Handicap International, explains what is contained in the reports published each year in September and November by the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor.

Handicap International is taking part in the conference of States Parties to the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, due to be held in Chile this year from 28^th November to 1^st December. Anne Héry, Director of Advocacy at Handicap International, reflects on the importance of this meeting which should enable us once again to alert governments to the rising number of casualties.

25th of November: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Christine, 32, lives in West Pokot County, Kenya. A witness of the armed violence that has torn her region apart, she’s now one of Handicap International’s community peace representative. Every day, she raises awareness in communities and helps women learn more about their rights.

On 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Handicap International is drawing attention to the fact that more than one in three women will experience violence in their lifetimes. Women with disabilities are at even greater risk. For 25 years, the organisation has worked in many countries to prevent such acts of violence and to provide medical and psychological assistance to victims.

When the Islamic State group captured his hometown in 2014, Khalil fled with his family to Kirkuk, where he now lives with his wife and children in grinding poverty. Over the last few weeks, Handicap International has been providing him with psychosocial support, along with other kinds of assistance.

For over a year, Handicap International’s teams have been providing displaced children in Iraqi schools with information on the risk of mines and other explosive weapons. More than 100,000 people have taken part in these activities since the launch of the organisation’s emergency response in Iraq.

In 2009, Widad and other members of her family were injured by a car bomb, in Iraq. Five years later, the arrival of armed groups in Jalawla forced her to flee. Since returning home, Handicap International has been providing her with physiotherapy care and, thanks to the organisation’s rehabilitation sessions, Widad can now walk again.

Alongside its local partners, Handicap International runs education sessions concerning the risks on Syrian territory, primarily for populations displaced by the violence. The intensity of the bombing which leaves many areas contaminated with explosive remnants of war, the use of mines and improvised explosive devices exposes civilians to the threat of explosions. Laurent Davy, Syria Desk Officer at Handicap International, explains why it is so important to raise the Syrian people’s awareness of this danger.