The bombing of civilians in 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 Handicap International (HI), explains how the use of explosive weapons in populated areas impacts on civilians.

Two decades ago, the adoption of the final text of the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty marked an unprecedented diplomatic victory against these cowardly weapons. The treaty led to a fall in casualty numbers, the destruction of millions of mines and a virtual end to their use. Since 2014, however, the use of mines has increased in many current conflicts, with a resulting rise in casualty numbers. 

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

As Irma, downgraded to tropical storm, is progressing on the West Coast of Florida, the situation in northern Haiti appears to be less critical than previously feared. Depending on the results of initial rapid assessments, Handicap International (HI) may deploy a team tomorrow to meet with the most vulnerable individuals.

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

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 (HI) teams are concerned for the welfare of the most vulnerable people, who have very limited means to protect themselves.

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

As floods and landslides have hit Nepal over the past five days, the death toll has reached 123 dead and at least 35 people are missing. The southern part of the country is the most affected. Thousands of houses have been inundated across the Terai province; 80% of the arable land has been destroyed. 600,000 people are affected by the worst floods in 15 years in Nepal. Handicap International’s (HI) local teams are evaluating how we can help.

Ninety-eight percent of recorded victims of cluster munitions are civilians, according to the Cluster Munition Monitor 2017, an annual report co-produced by Handicap International. These weapons kill, injure, maim, and cause serious psychological trauma. Up to 40% of submunitions do not explode on impact. They render whole areas uninhabitable, prevent the return of normal social and economic life, and displace people from their homes. These explosive remnants pose a threat to civilians, sometimes for decades after a conflict has ended.

As floods and landslides have hit Nepal over the past five days, the death toll has reached 123 dead and at least 35 people are missing. The southern part of the country is the most affected. Thousands of houses have been inundated across the Terai province; 80% of the arable land has been destroyed. 600,000 people are affected by the worst floods in 15 years in Nepal. Handicap International’s local teams are evaluating how we can help.

Eight-year-old Channa’s face lights up and then breaks into grin, revealing the playful little girl inside. But between bouts of laughter, a more serious Channa all too easily takes her place. And no wonder: born with one leg, this little girl’s life has not been all fun and games.

Floods and landslides killed more than 300 people on Monday 14 August in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, following heavy rain across the country. Some 3,000 people have been made homeless. Handicap International is providing support to the most vulnerable individuals.

Since the outbreak of civil war in South Sudan in 2013, Uganda has offered a place of safety to people fleeing from the conflict. On the 15^th of August, the Government of Uganda and the UN Refugee Agency announced that the staggering threshold of 1 million South Sudanese refugees has now been reached. Handicap International (HI) will launch activities to support new arrivals in Uganda this September.

The Brazilian football player Neymar Jr. became the new ambassador of the charity Handicap International today. An event was organised in Place des Nations in Geneva on this occasion. Through this partnership, Neymar is using his huge fame for a good cause: to support the most vulnerable people in the world, people with disabilities in poor countries, victims of conflicts and natural disasters.

The Oslo Convention banning the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions entered into force seven years ago, on 1 August 2010. Despite the undeniable success of the convention, which has been signed by 119 countries, cluster munitions are still used intensively and repeatedly in Yemen and Syria.