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News Section Physical rehabilitation The ICRC provides physical rehabilitation to people injured by anti-personnel mines or by other types of explosive weapons, as well as in a large variety of other types of incident. Access to documents giving details of specific programmes, including annual reports on physical rehabilitation programmes, and the Special Fund for the Disabled.
Injuries inflicted by anti-personnel mines or other explosive weapons can lead to amputation, severe disability and psychological trauma. These casualties require specialist surgery and post-operative care in the first instance and rehabilitation and psychological support in the longer term.
Not all countries have the means to provide the specialized care and social benefits required by the war-disabled. The ICRC has assisted over 70 physical rehabilitation centres around the world to provide physiotherapy and produce prostheses, orthoses, crutches and wheelchairs. This helps the physically disabled to regain some measure of mobility and contributes indirectly to their economic independence. Special care is taken to collaborate closely with local partners, to use appropriate materials and to train national staff. In the longer term, this makes it easier for national partners to take over the running of these fully equipped and staffed workshops. 
See also: Landmines
 Key document21-11-2007 ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled: teaching does the most goodJacques Forget is one of five ortho-prosthetists with the ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled based in Addis-Ababa, who provide training and other support to rehabilitation centres in 17 African countries. He feels teaching provides the greatest impact in his line of work. (ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health\Physical rehabilitation) Feature Includes Photo 8-6-2007 Physical Rehabilitation Programme: extract from ICRC Annual Report 2006Physical rehabilitation programmes help to restore the dignity of amputees and other disabled persons, not only by restoring them to an upright position but also by reintegrating them into their families and communities and enabling them to work and gain an education. This report describes the worldwide activities of the ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Programme in 2006, working to help disabled people affected by conflict. (ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health\Physical rehabilitation) Annual Report Includes PDF Audio Collection16-6-2003 A decade of assisting Afghan disabled - interview with Alberto CairoFollowing the publication of his book "Stories from Kabul", Alberto Cairo, head of orthopaedic programmes in Afghanistan, talks about ICRC's work in the country. He speaks about his feelings for the future - for himself, the ICRC and the disabled people he helps. (Info resources\Audio\Asia and the Pacific) Audio Collection Includes Audio Feature15-4-2008 Chad: restoring lost dignityIn a society where it is difficult for people with a handicap to find their place, orthopaedic care helps the victims of mines, accidents and road accidents to restart their lives. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Chad) Feature Includes Photo 17-12-2007 DRC: young mine victim dreams of playing football againFollowing years of fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) the ICRC maintains its help for vulnerable civilian groups. A young boy who lost his leg in a mine accident tells his story to the ICRC’s Bernard Barrett. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Kinshasa) Feature Includes Photo 13-11-2007 Afghan mine victims brave the oddsAfghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. While considerable progress has been made in recent years in mine clearance, and the number of victims recorded each year has steadily decreased, the scale of the problem remains enormous. Tens of thousands of landmine victims need care and assistance. The ICRC is helping to address the plight of victims in Afghanistan through its orthopaedic programme, which has assisted almost 80,000 disabled people over the past two decades. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Feature Includes Photo 2-11-2007 Helping the disabled in Afghanistan: "Enough work for the next 40 years"Decades of war have left tens of thousands of amputees in need of care and support to help them build a future. Alberto Cairo has been running ICRC orthopaedic programmes in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years; in Kabul, he spoke to the ICRC's Claudia McGoldrick. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Feature Includes Photo 25-9-2007 Mine victims in Iraq: the story of Safin MustafaSafin Mustafa Aziz comes from a village near Erbil. He was out playing with his younger brother when the two were ripped apart by a mine. With courage and determination – and a little help from a blind donkey – he survived and prospered. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Feature Includes Photo 14-9-2007 Chad: young girl's story offers a lesson in survivalMahassine is a 13-year-old blind girl. She recently had a leg amputated after being hit by a bullet during an attack on her village. Against all odds, she managed to get on with her life. Yvonne Jansen, the ICRC orthopaedist who took care of her, recalls her courage and unrelenting will to overcome her traumatic experience. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Chad) Feature Includes Photo 10-9-2007 Southern Sudan: twice a survivor of warAlthough the conflict between the southern and the northern regions of Sudan ended in 2005, many of its victims are still striving to rebuild their lives. Mayon Deng, 42, joined the Sudanese army in 1984 and was dismissed in 1996 when he lost his left leg in combat. In November 2006, an attack in Malakal resulted in the amputation of his remaining leg. The ICRC's communication delegate in Juba, Robin Waudo, tells Mayon's story. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Sudan) Feature Includes Photo 28-6-2006 Lopiding hospital: adapting to changing needs in southern SudanLopiding hospital in northern Kenya was the ICRC's biggest field hospital, performing more than 60,000 operations in its 19-year history. At the end of June 2006, management was handed over to the Kenyan authorities. The ICRC's Andrea Koenig visited the hospital and sent this report. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Feature Includes Photo 16-6-2006 A regional watch – ICRC in Cambodia, Laos and Viet NamThe ICRC's regional delegation in Bangkok covers not only Thailand but also three countries in the region that are living a legacy of war: Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam. A report on activities in the post-conflict period. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Thailand) Feature Includes Photo Feature 24-2-2006 Myanmar: the ICRC continues to support orthopaedic services In partnership with the Myanmar Red Cross Society, the ICRC continues to provide support for orthopaedic services across the country, including the Hpa-an Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Centre (HORC) in the south-east. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Myanmar) Feature Includes Photo Field newsletter11-7-2007 ICRC in Afghanistan - Delegation Factsheet on orthopaedicFactsheet, April 2007 (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Field newsletter Includes PDF 11-5-2007 Kunming Physical Rehabilitation CentreThe Kunming Physical Rehabilitation Centre is operated by the Yunnan branch of the Chinese Red Cross Society with the financial and technical support of the ICRC. The centre opened in early 2004 and began to expand its follow-up services in 2005 with the opening of two repair workshops in the south of the province. Since its opening the centre has provided orthopaedic and physiotherapy care for 850 amputees. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\China) Field newsletter Includes PDF ICRC film19-9-2006 Afghanistan: surviving the PeaceTravelling on roads, working in the fields or even walking to school are fraught with danger in many parts of Afghanistan. After decades of war the country is littered with landmines and explosives which continue to kill and maim. Among recent victims is 15-year-old Kabir who returns to the scene of his accident to tell his story. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\From the field) ICRC film Includes Video 8-12-2004 Relay for lifeThis film presents the inspirational story of Najmuddin, Director of the ICRC orthopaedic centre in Kabul, Afghanistan, as he makes his way to Cairo to carry the Olympic flame and represent landmine victims throughout the world. Najmuddin lost both his legs at the age of eighteen when he drove over an anti-tank mine. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Assistance) ICRC film Includes Video 31-12-2003 A new life for MohsinMohsin, a young man from Kabul, Afghanistan, was badly injured in an accident two years ago which left him paraplegic. This video tells the story of how he overcame his terrible injury and found a new role in life as a grocery shop owner, with the help of the ICRC's Home Care programme. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Assistance) ICRC film ICRC Publication13-7-2007 Polypropylene technology The ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Unit was established in 1979, marking the start of a long-term commitment to promote the use of a technology appropriate to the specific context in which the ICRC operates. In low-income or developing countries affected by war, the role of this inexpensive and high quality technology is crucial, making rehabilitation services more affordable and accessible and making the long-term survival of rehabilitation centres more likely. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Assistance) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 28-6-2007 Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing GuidelinesThese Manufacturing Guidelines are designed to provide the information necessary for the production of high-quality assistive devices. These informative manuals are designed to promote and enhance standardization of ICRC polypropylene technology, to provide support for training in the use of this technology and to promote good practice in this field. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Assistance) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 9-8-2005 Caring for landmine victimsEvery year, tens of thousands of people are killed or injured by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Those that survive are often disabled for life and need long-term care, not only rehabilitation but also social and economic support. This leaflet examines the challenges involved in providing assistance to the victims. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Assistance) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 17-8-2004 Support for life: physical rehabilitation programmeA brochure and DVD-Rom combination, this product has been created to mark the 25th anniversary of the ICRC's physical rehabilitation programme. In addition to outlining the history and achievements of the programme, it is intended to raise awareness of the long lasting needs of persons with physical disabilities. The DVD-Rom is an excellent resource containing several overviews, various related publications, photo galleries and videos. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Assistance) ICRC Publication Includes PDF Photo Collection17-4-2008 Afganistan: landmine survivors play football As the clock counts down to Euro 2008 ™, the ICRC and UEFA have teamed up to help the survivors of landmines in Afghanistan through the www.scorefortheredcross.org campaign. Recently, a group of Afghan landmine victims organized a football match outside the ICRC's orthopaedic centre in Kabul to show their support for the charitable campaign. (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific) Photo Collection Includes Photo Press article31-3-2006 Afghanistan A new lease of lifeIn one of the world’s most mine-infested countries, the ICRC initiated a microcredit programme to help disabled people return to work and recover their self-sufficiency - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 1, 2006 (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Press article Stories from the field26-12-2007 Cambodia: handicapped volleyball player achieves more than a medalWhen mine amputee Chim Phan helped his team to gain a bronze medal at the recent world cup final, it was his ultimate triumph over years of pain and struggle. One of thousands of mine victims in Cambodia, Phan represents a generation determined to overcome their handicap. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Cambodia) Stories from the field Includes Photo 5-11-2007 The Cairo Chronicles : bits of life in KabulAlberto Cairo is head of the ICRC's programmes for the war disabled in Afghanistan. Over the past 18 years he has met many ordinary people with extraordinary stories. Extracts from his diary. (ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health\Physical rehabilitation) Stories from the field Includes Photo 6-11-2006 Darfur: Learning to walk again For two years, the ICRC has been supporting a limb-fitting centre in Darfur that gives mobility and dignity back to amputees. Slowly but surely, victims of the conflict in western Sudan are learning to walk again. Information delegate Jean-Yves Clémenzo reports on their situation. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Sudan) Stories from the field 4-4-2006 “Now that you are disabled, your life is finished!”Being disabled in Afghanistan, a ruined country in the grip of perpetual warfare, is a cruel fate. Many people afflicted in this way despair and end up a burden on their families. But with the ICRC's help, others are finding their way in the world. Here are the stories of nine people who have been aided by an ICRC microcredit programme to get their lives started again. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Stories from the field Includes Photo 23-1-2006 Afghanistan: school offers hope to landmine victimsA Scottish lecturer is the brains behind a project to build a Red Cross school specialising in fitting artificial limbs in Afghanistan, where many people have fallen victim to landmines. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Stories from the field Includes Photo Video Collection27-6-2005 Nepal: medical care for war victims Ten years of conflict have put Nepal's medical services under great pressure. The Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Pokhara provides care for a wide range of patients, including war injuries such as bullet wounds and mine accidents. The Centre is run by the International Nepal Fellowship. With help from the ICRC, its prosthetic services have been modernised and staff training improved, as Dr Richard Schwarz, the Medical Superintendent explains in this short video. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video More in this sectionOther site2-11-2006 ICRC special fund for the disabledThe ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled (SFD) ensures the continuity of programmes of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on behalf of people affected by conflict and supports physical rehabilitation centres in developing countries. (Info resources\Other sites\Red Cross and Red Crescent) Other site 13-2-2006 The 12th World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)The ISPO World Congress is the premiere global event for multidisciplinary prosthetic and orthotic care. The ISPO Canada National Society is pleased to welcome you to Vancouver to enjoy the scientific sessions, workshops and symposia, expansive trade exhibits, and active social programs. Congress dates are July 29 - August 3, 2007. (Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations) Other site  |
