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At least 500 people were killed by floods and landslides that hit the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown, on Monday 14th August. A further 800 people have been reported missing. Handicap International (HI) and our partners in the region have launched an emergency response to support people in need.

Hurricane Irma could make landfall in Haiti late on Thursday 7th September. Already present in Haiti, Handicap International’s teams are on high alert as they prepare to respond to the disaster.

Within the last few hours, several Caribbean islands, including Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, have been hit by hurricane Irma, causing extensive damage. The hurricane is now moving towards the north of Haiti. Present in the country, Handicap International’s teams are concerned for the welfare of the most vulnerable people, who have very limited means to protect themselves.

After causing devastation on several Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico and Saint-Martin, Hurricane Irma was heading towards Haiti late on Thursday evening. Haiti is regularly hit by major natural disasters and Handicap International’s teams are expecting to face serious problems accessing the worst-affected areas. Many families will need help for months to come.

Although regularly hit by natural disasters, Haiti’s population remains highly vulnerable due to the country’s frail infrastructure and ill-equipped emergency services. In recent years, Handicap International’s disaster risk prevention projects have been working to help the most isolated people protect themselves.

As Hurricane Irma heads towards Cuba, the situation in northern Haiti appears to be less critical than previously feared. Depending on the results of initial rapid assessments, Handicap International may deploy a team tomorrow to meet with the most vulnerable individuals.

Aleema Shivji, Executive Director of Handicap International UK, provides a timely reminder of the appalling impact of explosive weapons.

Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage in the Caribbean and along the US coast, leaving a trail of victims in its wake. Wind and rain has caused extensive damage in the northeast of Haiti but, despite fears of a disaster, the country has escaped the worst of the storm. Nevertheless, Handicap International remains committed to helping the most vulnerable families, who are more likely to be affected during disasters.

Since 2012, civilians have borne the brunt of chronic violence in the Central African Republic. Insecurity and the destruction or neglect of road and air facilities have severely compromised the transport of humanitarian aid.

Some 400,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh from neighbouring Myanmar since the end of August 2017. Handicap International is responding to this emergency by supplying aid to families with acute needs.

Anne Héry, Humanity & Inclusion's Head of Advocacy, sheds light on the organisation’s efforts to end the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and its choice of political process to achieve this aim.

The bombing of populated areas has become a familiar feature of present-day conflicts. Not only does it kill and maim civilians, it also destroys vital public infrastructure such as bridges, ports, and hospitals. Anne Héry, head of advocacy at Humanity & Inclusion, explains how the use of explosive weapons in populated areas impacts civilian life.

Yetnebersh Nigussie has dedicated her life to promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. She has been awarded the prestigious Right Livelihood Award, widely referred to as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’, for her determination to ensure that people with disabilities are never left behind. 

Handicap International is increasingly concerned for the welfare of tens of thousands of displaced people in the southern Philippines. Since armed conflict broke out in Marawi city, Mindanao, on 23^rd May 2017, at least 360,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. Many are now living in precarious conditions.

4^th October, 2017, marks one year since Hurricane Matthew ravaged southern Haiti. 140mph winds and severe flooding caused 603 deaths and the widespread loss of homes, livestock and infrastructure. Handicap International is helping Haitians to cope with the 2017 hurricane season.