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The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is celebrating its ten-year anniversary. Priscille Geiser, Head of the Support for Civil Society unit at Handicap International, looks back at the history of the Convention, why it came into being, and the progress it has instigated for people with disabilities.

More than one month after Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti on 4th October 2016, 1.4 million people still need immediate humanitarian aid. Handicap International is continuing its emergency response and the organisation’s logistics platform is transporting humanitarian aid by road and sea.

Handicap International is taking part in the conference of States Parties to the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, due to be held in Chile from 28^th November to 1^st December 2016. Anne Héry, Director of Advocacy at Handicap International, reflects on the importance of this meeting which should enable us once again to alert governments to the rising number of casualties.

Aleema Shivji, Director of Handicap International UK, blogs on the horrific situation facing Syrian civilians.

Christine, 32, lives in West Pokot County, Kenya. A witness of the armed violence that has torn her region apart, she’s now one of Handicap International’s community peace representatives. Every day, she raises awareness in communities and helps women learn more about their rights.

On 25th November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Handicap International is drawing attention to the fact that more than one in three women will experience violence in their lifetimes. Women with disabilities are at even greater risk. For 25 years, the organisation has worked in many countries to prevent such acts of violence and to provide medical and psychological assistance to victims.

For over a year, Handicap International’s teams have been providing displaced children in Iraqi schools with information on the risk of landmines and other explosive weapons. More than 100,000 people have taken part in these activities since the launch of the organisation’s emergency response in Iraq.

Civilians in Yemen are seriously affected by bomb attacks and the explosive remnants of war they leave behind, and by anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices acting as mines^[1]. Nearly 1,000 people were killed or injured by these barbaric weapons in 2015^[2]. As part of its response, Handicap International provides support to rehabilitation services in three health centres in Sana’a. More than 3,000 people received aid from the organisation between March and September 2016, most of them casualties of the conflict.

Salim left Jalawla, Iraq, with his family two years ago after the Islamic State group captured the city. As they fled, his son died and Salim had a heart attack. Since his return to Jalawla, Handicap International’s team monitors him and has provided him with physiotherapy sessions and psychosocial support.

Press release | 18th November 2016, 08:00 GMT.

Injured in one of Iraq’s many wars, Sabah had his leg amputated many years ago. When Jalawla was captured by the Islamic State group in 2014, he fled the city with his family. They returned to Jalawla in early 2016. Still traumatised by all he went through, Sabah follows psychosocial support sessions supported by one of Handicap International’s teams. The organisation has also provided him with mobility aids to make his life easier.

Over 55,000 people have been displaced since military operations to retake Mosul, Iraq began on the 17^th October. Hasansham camp opened ten days ago and is already full: more than 10 000 internally displaced people have found refuge there.

More than 55,000 people have been displaced since military operations to retake Mosul began on the 17^th October 2016. Several thousand of them now live in Khazer camp, 15 kilometres away from the frontline. 

Since the launch of the Mosul offensive in Iraq, more than 55,000 people have been displaced. Handicap International’s teams will start providing assistance to vulnerable people in displacement areas, from next week.