The latest version of the Fair ‘n Square website, which was first launched in 2015 by Handicap International (HI) in conjunction with UNICEF, looks at the ways in which children and adults with disabilities in Mozambique are discriminated against on a daily basis. Some people are unable to visit health centres because buildings are not designed for use by people with disabilities, for example, while some children with reduced mobility are unable to go to school because they don’t have the equipment they need to move around, such as a wheelchair. The aim of the website is therefore to raise awareness on disability, to show how some problems have easy solutions, and to provide information on action taken by HI in Mozambique to end the exclusion of people with disabilities.

HI works in five health centres and hospitals in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, where it provides rehabilitation care and distributes mobility aids (crutches, wheelchairs), among other activities. The impact on the population and humanitarian operations is likely worsen rapidly if the blockade imposed on 6 November is not lifted. François Olive-Keravec, Yemen programme director at Handicap International (HI), who is currently in Sanaa, describes the situation in the field.

In January 2016, Handicap International (HI) launched the “Makani” project in Egypt. The organisation regularly holds events in a working class neighbourhood of Cairo, where it also promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities. Through this project, the organisation also aims at encouraging young Egyptians to get more involved in their local community. 

From 27 to 28 November, Handicap International (HI) is organising a regional conference on the bombing of civilians in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. This conference will bring together some 20 States, 10 African civil society organisations and international NGOs. The goal is to raise awareness of this vital challenge among African countries and to encourage them to take action on the world stage to protect civilians from the devastating impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. 

Ayesha Begum is 22 years old. In early September, she took refuge in Bangladesh where, with her three children, she joined her brothers in a temporary shelter on the edge of Kutupalong camp. Her husband is dead. She takes part in a parents’ club organised by Humanity & Inclusion, which provides psychosocial support to mothers living as refugees.

Abu Sadeq is one of 600,000 Rohingya who have fled Myanmar since 25 August. Disabled for the last few months, he describes life in Uchinprang camp, in Bangladesh.

Since 1990, mines have caused more than 11,100 casualties in Colombia. Pauline Boyer, mine action coordinator for Handicap International (HI) in Colombia, explains the urgent need to free the country of mines.

Dayana, 15, was seriously injured in a grenade accident in Colombia two years ago. With help from Handicap International (HI) and its partner organisation Tierra de Paz, Dayana has been able to talk with other young explosion victims. Her family has also received financial support to set up their own homemade ice-cream shop - a helping hand to move on from the past. 

Xiemna, 33, was the victim of a grenade attack in her own home. Within the space of a few seconds, she lost both of her children and suffered serious injuries. With support from Handicap International (HI) and Tierra de Paz, she has been given psychological support and has now set up her own home-made yoghurt business.

Eighteen humanitarian agencies expressed serious concern today over the Saudi Arabia-led Coalition’s decision to temporarily close all entry points to Yemen, effectively sealing the country off. The agencies demand that humanitarian operations are allowed to resume immediately and request clarity on the planned duration of the current closure and contingencies to allow humanitarian supplies to be delivered.

Firial is 3 years old and lives in Jordan. Born with Down's syndrome, she finds it hard to move around and coordinate her movements. She regularly receives free physiotherapy care in one of Handicap International’s partner centres. 

Handicap International (HI) is taking part in the Meeting of the First Committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations (Disarmament and International Security), which opened in early October. Why is the organisation attending this major international event?

More than 1 million people have fled from South Sudan to neighbouring Uganda since the outbreak of civil war in 2013. Many have witnessed or experienced violence, including forced displacement, rape and indiscriminate killing. Handicap International (HI) is providing psychosocial support to respond to the complex and urgent mental health needs of refugees. 

More than 600,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since 25 August from neighbouring Myanmar. Handicap International is implementing emergency actions to assist these refugees, who are utterly destitute. Logistics platform coordinator Emmanuel Pajot arrived in the field two weeks ago to address the related logistics and emergency distribution problems. Below, he describes the complexity of the humanitarian situation.

More than 600,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since 25 August from neighbouring Myanmar. Handicap International (HI) is providing these refugees, who are utterly destitute, with emergency humanitarian assistance. Gilles Nouziès, manager of Handicap International’s Asia desk, has travelled to Bangladesh to organise these activities with our teams. Below, he describes the appalling humanitarian situation.