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Across East Africa, hundreds of thousands of people are leaving their homes in search of food and security. With such large numbers on the move and in need of assistance, Handicap international is concerned that some people may fall through the cracks. Our teams in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somaliland are determined not to let this happen.

The region of Grand Kasaï in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the scene of intense violence in recent months. The resulting humanitarian crisis has affected more than two million people. Handicap International’s teams, present in Kananga since 2015, are working to assist the most vulnerable people.

Mohamad, 9, was badly injured when his house in Syria was bombed. After initially struggling to adapt to his situation, he is now back at school and enjoying his studies.

In December 2016, Zeidan, 5, and his family fled the fighting in Mosul and took refuge in Iraqi Kurdistan. Zeidan, who has cerebral palsy, recently had his first ever physiotherapy session, thanks to Handicap International’s team.

In April 2017, one-year-old Ali and his family were used as human shields in Mosul, Iraq. Caught in a bombing, Ali was severely injured and both his parents and brother were killed. The baby boy is currently being treated at a hospital south of Mosul. His aunt and uncle are taking care of him and Khaled, an HI physiotherapist, is supporting Ali’s recovery.

Aleema Shivji, Executive Director of Handicap International UK, explains how we are keeping up the pressure to ensure people with disabilities are not left behind in humanitarian crises.

On 21^st March 2017, 9-year-old Bakr was injured in an air attack in the west of Mosul. After having both of his legs amputated, he is now recovering in a hospital on the outskirts of the city. Handicap International is providing him with physiotherapy care and psychosocial support.

Ali, 4, lives in Jordan. He has cerebral palsy and, for the last few months, he has been visiting an HI partner centre, where he benefits from physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions. 

In October 2016, the Iraqi armed forces launched a military offensive to retake Mosul, Iraq. Since then, over one million civilians have been displaced.  Two weeks ago, the final assault was launched on Mosul’s Old City, where hundreds of thousands of people were still trapped and where the fighting has considerably intensified. Handicap International describes the situation as extremely alarming.

More than two million people have been affected by the humanitarian crisis in Grand Kasai, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Handicap International has sent emergency specialists to support its teams already working in the field. Sulu Bellarmin, who works as the organisation’s driver and a logistics assistant, tells us what life is like in Kasai.

Seven new factsheets on the added value of rehabilitation, aimed at improving the awareness and understanding of the role that rehabilitation can play in global health, and looking at current and future trends.

We're thrilled to announce that HI was selected as a winner of Amplify's Disability and Inclusion Challenge!

Abdallah was injured in an explosion in Mosul, in May 2017. Now displaced with his family in a camp located east of the city, the teenager receives assistance from Handicap International, including rehabilitation care to help him recover from a broken leg.

Taking place in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in September 2017, Parallel London is the world’s first fully accessible, inclusive fun run. Run it, walk it, push it, or be pushed. Anything goes!

With support from the IKEA Foundation, Handicap International is enabling 13,000 children in refugee camps in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand to learn and develop through play in a safe environment. The organisation is training parents and community volunteers to stimulate children from infancy.