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Reema is 72. She is from Gogjali, a village located near the city of Mosul. Three weeks ago, she fled the fighting and arrived in Khazer camp for displaced people, with her family. Suffering from several illnesses, she only survives with their help. Handicap International’s emergency team paid her a visit. 

Two weeks ago, Tiba fled the city of Mosul with her family and took refuge in Khazer camp for displaced people, not too far from the front lines. To make her life easier and to help her move around, Handicap International will shortly provide her with mobility aids.

Nearly one month ago, Sinat’s family arrived in Khazer camp, where some 30,000 people who have fled Mosul and its surroundings now live. Sinat has cerebral palsy and her parents are worried about her health. She was recently visited by one of Handicap International’s teams, who immediately began providing her with physiotherapy care.

Aleema Shivji, Director of Handicap International UK, blogs about a new campaign with IKEA Fuundation to create inclusive playgrounds where vulnerable refugee children can feel safe to play and learn.

Paralympians Jack Hunter-Spivey and Ross Wilson have joined the Humanity & Inclusion UK family as our new Ambassadors. The two renowned table tennis players have reached the top of the game over the past eight years and will be supporting HI and our activities alongside people with disabilities living in places affected natural disaster, war and situations of severe poverty and exclusion.

As the year draws to a close, Aleema Shivji, Director of Handicap International UK, remembers children living in conflict zones all over the world, whose only wish for 2017 is peace.

Kashmir, India. When Fayaz was 3-years-old, his legs were injured by an explosive shell. One year later, Humanity & Inclusion fitted him with artificial limbs. Back on his feet again, he’s now a budding cricket star.

Two months ago, the Iraqi and Kurdish armed forces launched an offensive to retake Mosul, in Iraq. Since then, nearly 100,000 people have fled the city and its surroundings. Handicap International’s teams are working in various displacement areas to provide them with assistance.

Boubacar, 33, works as a legal adviser at Senegal's Ministry for African Integration, NEPAD* and Good Governance. Handicap International provided him with occupational support to overcome obstacles arising from his disability. The organisation highlighted his skills and made the Ministry for Public Services aware of the need to include people with disabilities on its teams.

Handicap International helps people with disabilities find work in the Dakar region of Senegal. Through personalised support, training and advocacy work with businesses, the organisation helps them successfully enter the world of work.

This December, campaigners and school students up and down the UK held fantastic events to raise awareness and funds for the forgotten victims of conflict. As part of the Forgotten 10 Challenge, local groups organised eye-catching displays, ‘Tea at 10’ coffee mornings, and built Pyramids of Shoes to get people thinking about what life is like for survivors of bombings in countries like Syria. At the same time, school students from Surrey to Aberdeenshire learnt about civilians affected by war and took action to support some of the most vulnerable people on earth.

On 25th November 2016, Handicap International staff, government ministers, and local authorities in Laos gathered in Chao Anouvong Park, in Vientiane, to celebrate 20 years of action in the country. Handicap International organised a photo exhibition, film screenings and a performance to underline the impact of twenty years of projects in Laos.

On 12 January 2010, Haiti was devastated by an earthquake which killed 230,000 people and injured over 300,000. Handicap International took action immediately after the disaster to provide assistance to the victims. Seven years later, the organisation is still working the country to ensure Haitians have access to rehabilitation services. 

Handicap International is continuing its work to help the victims of Hurricane Matthew, three months after the hurricane swept through Haiti. Over 700 emergency kits have just been distributed to victims of the disaster, enabling them to rebuild their homes and improve their living conditions.

Handicap International attended the Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Chile from 28th November to 1st December. It used this opportunity to present its “integrated approach” to victim assistance. Elke Hottentot, Handicap International’s victim assistance expert, explains the challenges involved.