Burkina Faso / Niger

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In Burkina Faso, Handicap International's work currently has 4 aspects:

• supporting the organisation of an efficient and coordinated system of access to rehabilitation care;
• establishing a care structure for patients with lymphatic filariasis as part of a national programme for the elimination of this disease (the main cause of disability through illness in Burkina Faso)
• developing the educational integration of disabled children in ordinary classes, in conjunction with the ministry of Basic Education;
• promoting disabled people's rights by supporting lobbies by disabled people's organisations.

Since late 2006, an operational base has been active in Niger, following on from several years of one-off actions there. It conducts programmes around inclusive education and support for disabled people's organisations aimed at promoting and recognising their rights.

CONTEXT
Burkina Faso, Handicap International’s first mission in West Africa, was until now a haven of peace in the regional maelstrom surrounding it. It is currently facing crises of many kinds as a result of a laborious transition to democracy and living conditions that are becoming more and more difficult for the population.
The country has been undergoing structural changes for several years, and its rare natural resources are not sufficient to cope with the growing poverty. In the face of these difficulties, vulnerable populations pay a high price in terms of literacy, difficulties in gaining access to health care and the relentless reduction in purchasing power. The most vulnerable populations, notably people with disabilities (estimated at between 8 to 10 % of the population), receive very little support from the public sector and rarely participate in social and economic activities, which worsens their social exclusion and increases their poverty level.

BACKGROUND
Handicap International has been working in the field of rehabilitation in Burkina Faso for 10 years. To our credit, we can cite:

• the conversion of the Cnaob (Burkina Faso National Orthopaedic Centre) into a national reference centre, which became self-reliant in 1996
• the creation of decentralised centres and assistance to private diocesan organisations throughout the country, and the networking of these organisations
• support for the training of rehabilitation professionals, assistance with the creation and capacity building of their regional and national associations.

As a support NGO, Handicap International contributes towards reinforcing the associative movement for disabled people, and since 1997, has also helped to create a centre for psychological support. For several years now, our range of activity has been broadening in the development field and now includes action on inclusive education, awareness-raising for the prevention of disabilities, training and access to employment for people with disabilities, institutional support for disabled person’s organisations and for their national, or even regional, federative structures.