Iraq

Care and assistance to people with disabilities

^{© A.Carle/Handicap International}

The situation in Iraq is still extremely volatile and armed violence remains a major problem. Millions of Iraqi citizens find it difficult to access clean drinking water, sanitary facilities and basic health care.

There is a lack of qualified personnel and many hospitals and care facilities are in a serious state of disrepair. The insecurity that reigns in part of the country has stunted the rebuilding of damaged health facilities and prevents access to care for the population. Little is known about the conditions of vulnerable groups living in the south of the country, in particular people with disabilities.

Handicap International launched a mine risk education project in Iraqi Kurdistan, where the situation is more stable. We are also running a care and assistance project for people with disabilities and their families in Iraq, in partnership with a local organisation. We are also providing support to Iraqi associations of people with disabilities.

Key Facts - Iraq

• Population: 31.5 million
• Household Consumption: Not available
• Life Expectancy: 69 years
• Human Development: Not available
_{Source: UNDP HDR 2011}

Stories from the field

"We can stop those tragedies happening"

Lynn Bradach, the mother of a US soldier killed by a US sub-munition in Iraq, talks about her anger against this weapon.

Feras Ibrahim Ias, war victim

On the 8th April 2003, as Feras, his wife and their five month old baby were crossing the bridge over the Tigris in Baghdad, a tank hit their car with a rocket.

Our projects

	Supporting organisations and public authorities Aims to support the three main stakeholders involved in rehabilitation services (disabled people’s organisations, service providers and public authorities) to improve the access to their services. The specific objectives are building the capacity of local stakeholders on disability, person-focused approach and information management, providing technical and financial support, and supporting local initiatives to make the access to rehabilitation services easier.
	Mine risk education Aims to reduce the threat of mines and explosive devices in the North of Iraq. This project also builds the capacity of national demining centres on mine risk prevention.
	Assistance to people with injuries or disabilities A project in 6 governorates in central and southern Iraq providing assistance to people with injuries, disabilities or living in a vulnerable situation. The goal is to meet people's basic needs through distribution of kits and assistive mobility devices, and providing a referral service ro rehabilitation centres. The project is managed from Amman, Jordan by Handicap International, which provides financial and technical support to our partner Iraq Health and Social Care Organisation (IHSCO).
	Training a team of physiotherapists (Amman) Supporting services in the physiotherapy department in Amman (in partnership with MSF France): providing training to the team of physiotherapists in the surgery ward of a hospital dedicated to people from Iraq.
	Supporting KORD Aims to build the capacity of the local organisation KORD by achieving a financial balance, helping develop a strategic plan and improving its management capacities. The activities of KORD include providing prosthetic and orthotic devices, looking for or creating jobs for landmine victims, providing raising-awareness activities on disability and lobbying public authorities.
	Supporting organisations of people with disabilities (Iraqi Kurdistan) This project provides training on disability rights, public policy around access to medical and social services and also supports for innovative advocacy initiatives.