© 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
Niger food crisis
A bad harvest and political instability in neighbouring Mali have resulted in a severe food crisis in Niger. Handicap International is organising targeted food distributions to 3,000 disabled people, pregnant women and elderly people.
Philippines typhoon
In the wake of Washi, a tropical storm that affected the lives of 1.1 million people in December 2011, Handicap International took immediate action to provide emergency aid to the victims.
East Africa refugee crisis
Our teams are on the ground in Dadaab camp, providing emergency aid to disabled refugees who are arriving at the camp exhausted and starving.
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.
Pakistan floods
Already hit by spectacular flooding in 2010 which affected 20 million people, Pakistan once again found itself at the mercy of a monsoon in 2011. Our team is continuing to provide emergency aid and clean water to vulnerable people who have been displaced from their homes.
Ivory Coast conflict
Following the conflict in Ivory Coast, Handicap International is providing support to injured, disabled and vulnerable people.
Recent emergencies
Haiti earthquake
Our teams are continuing to support disabled and vulnerable people in Haiti following the earthquake that struck the country in January 2010.
