BBC Radio 4 Appeal

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BBC Radio 4 Appeal to Highlight
Handicap International’s work in Sierra Leone

Sunday 6th May at 7.55 am & 9.26 pm
Thursday 10th May at 3:27 pm

BBC Radio 4:
92-94 FM, 198 Long Wave, or listen online at www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/

Former BBC foreign affairs correspondent Martin Bell will deliver a BBC Radio 4 Appeal on Handicap International’s work in Sierra Leone. The appeal aims to raise awareness and funding for Handicap International’s rehabilitation centres in Sierra Leone, which treat thousands of patients each year.

The nature of Sierra Leone’s decade long civil war makes rehabilitation centres an essential part of the country’s and its people’s recovery.  A trademark of the atrocities committed during the war was to chop off a victim’s hand or other limb, leaving deep physical and psychological scarring. When the bloody civil war finally came to an end in 2002, 5,000 people were left amputated, over 20,000 mutilated, 75,000 dead and 2 million displaced. Such devastation has made this tiny country of 5.5 million people the second poorest country in the world.

Today, Handicap International runs the only centres where this population can access rehabilitation services. The enormous need has meant that last year alone Handicap International provided 300 artificial limbs, conducted 5,000 rehabilitation sessions and offered psychological support to 450 children and their families.

As Samantha Rennie, Director of Handicap International UK comments, “Our work in Sierra Leone is painstaking, but is hugely rewarding as more and more people regain their independence and way of life.”

Handicap International has been in Sierra Leone since 1996, continuing its work even as international aid and other NGOs steadily leave the country. It is hoped that with funding from the BBC Appeal, Handicap International’s determination to stay in Sierra Leone will be met with the necessary resources to make this possible.

Martin Bell is an accomplished reporter, politician and supporter of Handicap International. Over his 30 year career in journalism he reported from 80 countries and covered 11 conflicts, including Vietnam, Nigeria, Angola, Rwanda and Sarajevo.

Martin Bell recording our BBC Radio 4 Appeal

Missed the appeal? Following the air date you can listen to the appeal on the BBC Radio 4 website.

For additional information on Handicap International’s work in Sierra Leone, please see:

• Sierra Leone - country info webpage
• our Newsletter on Sierra Leone (pdf, 2.88 Mb)