© Raphael de Bengy/ Handicap International
A humanitarian disaster can take many forms - earthquakes, floods, tsunami or conflict. They often strike without warning and almost always affect people who are already desperately poor. For people affected, it can be a traumatic ordeal. The months following an emergency are often as dangerous as the disaster itself. Injured and disabled people face a long, hard fight to return to a 'normal' life.
Current emergencies
East Africa refugee crisis
Right now, nearly 11 million people are facing severe famine in East Africa. Our teams are on the ground in Dadaab camp, providing emergency aid to disabled refugees who are arriving at the camp exhausted and starving. We estimate that 7,500 of the recent arrivals are disabled people in need of immediate care, mobility aids, rehabilitation and psychological support.
> Donate now to our East Africa Emergency Appeal
Pakistan floods
Already hit by spectacular flooding in 2010 which affected 20 million people, Pakistan once again finds itself at the mercy of a monsoon which has reached an astonishing intensity in the last few weeks. Our 500-strong team is continuing to provide emergency aid and clean water to vulnerable people who have been displaced from their homes.
Libya conflict
Following the escalation of the conflict in Libya, Handicap International teams interevened quickly on the ground to protect civilians from the threat posed by landmines and other unexploded ordnance. We are carrying out risk education sessions in local communities to prevent accidents, particularly working with children. and using mass media to relay information as widely as possible.
Ivory Coast crisis
Following the recent conflict in Ivory Coast, Handicap International is working hard to provide support to injured, disabled and vulnerable people. One team is working in Abidjan to ensure injured people in hospitals receive follow-up care. A second team, based in neighbouring Liberia, is providing support to vulnerable refugees, including families and disabled people.
Recent emergencies
Haiti earthquake
18 months on, our team of 540 people is working to support disabled and vulnerable people in Haiti following the earthquake that struck the country in January 2010.
