Thailand

© Handicap International

Handicap International was founded in Thailand in 1982 by two French doctors, Jean-Baptiste Richardier and Claude Simonnot. The organisation's first mission was to help Cambodian refugees living in camps located along the border between Cambodia and Thailand. The first orthopaedic workshops were opened at this time, and the use of simple, locally-available materials was a major advantage in helping the organisation provide immediate, practical and effective support, and to train skilled local teams.

30 years on, Handicap International is still working in Thailand. In the nine camps that currently provide shelter for 150,000 Karen and Karenni refugees on Thailand's border with Burma, the organisation is investing in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, and in particular anti-personnel mine victims.

Key Facts - Thailand

• Population: 68.1 million
• Household Consumption: $3,626 per year
• Life Expectancy: 69 years
• Human Development: ranked 92nd out of 169 countries
_{Source: UNDP HDR 2011}

Our projects

Rehabilitation and social inclusion in refugee camps and neighbouring communities Handicap International's Burmese Border Project started in 1984 & first focused on providing functional rehabilitation services to Thai & Burmese landmine victims, most of whom were lower-limb amputees and in need of prostheses. The project has broadened to promoting social inclusion of people with disabilities and facilitating access to services in the areas of health , education and employment within the camps and the surrounding Thai communities.