« I am in too much pain »
Zibon Sona is an 80 year old widow. She was forced to leave Myanmar in September 2017 and has sought refuge in an improvised refugee camp in Bangladesh. Due to a physical disability, she is unable to move from her tarpaulin shelter and is reliant on her daughter for basic care.
Rohinga woman with disability | © A. Islam/Handicap International
“I lie alone under this tent all day long. My whole body is in pain and we are hungry all of the time. My daughter is trying to care for me but she has to look after the rest of the family. She has to leave me here to go and find food and clean water. I can’t wash myself or go to the toilets on my own, so I am trapped.”
Handicap International’s (HI) assessment team can see that Zibon needs extensive physical rehabilitation and medical support to regain some independence. She has not yet been to the hospital as the family cannot pay for transport. HI will ensure that she receives the care she needs.
Since the 30th of August, HI has helped more than 10,000 refugees:
- Interviews with 3,000 people to establish their immediate needs.
- Emergency psychological support provided to 2,000 people.
- 400 physical rehabilitation sessions conducted and 160 mobility aids (wheelchairs, crutches etc.) distributed.
- Psychosocial support given to 300 adults and 350 children.
