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section_physical_rehabilitation

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.

The ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled (SFD) ensures the continuity of programmes of the ICRC on behalf of people affected by conflict and supports physical rehabilitation centres in developing countries.

See also: Landmines

Key document
    21-6-2010
    Physical rehabilitation programme: Annual report 2009
    Physical 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 2009, working to help disabled people affected by conflict.
    (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Assistance)
    ICRC Publication Includes PDF

Feature
    23-6-2010
    Afghanistan: first national wheelchair-basketball tournament
    In Afghanistan landmines pose a great risk to the population. A lot of people who survive landmine incidents are maimed and confined to a wheelchair permanently. In her work at an ICRC physical rehabilitation centre, Yvonne Jansen meets many who manage to find a silver lining.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan)
    Feature Includes Photo

    6-5-2010
    Guatemala: a shattered dream with a silver lining
    Hugo Leonel wears a prosthetic foot following a desperate escapade with a train. Many disabled Guatemalans, like Hugo, are now benefiting from technological support provided by the ICRC.
    (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Guatemala)
    Feature Includes Photo

    6-4-2010
    Democratic Republic of the Congo: healing the wounds of war
    More than ten years of armed conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have left many people disabled. They are marked physically and mentally, and they are often excluded from the economy and society. The ICRC helps them return to a life that is almost normal. Pascal Nepa and Pedram Yazdi report from South Kivu.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Kinshasa)
    Feature Includes Photo

    15-3-2010
    Pakistan: growing rehabilitation facilities bring new life to amputees
    Demand for artificial limbs in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, is high and increasing, as patients flood in from Waziristan, and the border areas of Afghanistan, Sindh and Punjab. An ICRC-managed rehabilitation facility in Quetta is helping to give a growing number of amputees a new life.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan)
    Feature Includes Photo

    12-3-2010
    Haiti: helping hands for tuberculosis patients and disabled people
    The earthquake that struck Haiti two months ago has brought new challenges for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. The Red Cross is supporting a tuberculosis sanatorium in Léogane and a rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities in Port-au-Prince.
    (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti)
    Feature Includes Photo

    11-3-2010
    Afghanistan: a long journey for Osman
    A land-mine cost Osman his legs and his brand-new job as a policeman. Going back to the old job was no option – herding sheep and cultivating crops from a wheelchair was hardly realistic. A chance meeting with an ICRC team changed everything. Today, Osman is walking again, on artificial legs from the ICRC rehabilitation centre in Herat.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan)
    Feature Includes Photo

    6-1-2010
    Iraq: outdoors in a wheelchair
    In Iraq thousands of people are maimed every year by a huge number of mine and other incidents. An orthopaedic centre operated by the ICRC in Erbil has been providing assistance to thousands of disabled people since 1996.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq)
    Feature Includes Photo

    26-11-2009
    Afghanistan: mine victims want jobs, not pity - Najmuddin’s story
    Born in 1966 in Panjshir, Afghanistan, Najmuddin was educated in Panjshir and Kabul. At 18, he lost his legs to a landmine. For the following five years he struggled to find a job, without success, leaving him confined to his home. In 1988, he obtained artificial legs – and a job – from the rehabilitation centre of the ICRC in Kabul. He trained as a physiotherapist and in 1995 became director of the rehabilitation centre. Together with the ICRC, he is promoting the social reintegration of the people with disabilities in Afghanistan.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan)
    Feature Includes Photo

    28-7-2009
    Iraq: prostheses and a motorcycle revive hope for Hassan
    Father of six, Hassan Majid Rasoul, was once a farmer in Erbil – where he was born in 1951 – until he lost his legs in an attack. He recovered and managed to get on with his life. He shares his story with the ICRC’s Avin Yassin Mohammad.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq)
    Feature Includes Photo

    23-1-2009
    Afghanistan: Sandali stoves, a blessing and a curse
    In Afghanistan the Sandali stove is a popular, cheap heating method. But its use is also fraught with danger, such as asphyxiation or accidental burning. The ICRC’s Jessica Barry explains.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan)
    Feature Includes Photo

    28-11-2008
    ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled: walking tall
    The ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled is celebrating 25 years of helping people to walk and work again. Claire Doole reports on the work the Fund is doing in Africa to improve access to quality treatment and care.
    (ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health\Physical rehabilitation)
    Feature Includes Photo

    28-11-2008
    Special Fund for the Disabled: Ethiopian landmine victim wants to be a doctor
    Tesfahun Hailu from Ethiopia lost his leg and part of his arm six years ago in a landmine accident. Thanks to an artificial leg provided by the ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled, Tesfahun was able to return to school. Now 19, he is determined to become a doctor.
    (ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health\Physical rehabilitation)
    Feature Includes Photo

Field newsletter
    6-1-2010
    Iraq: socio-economic reintegration of orthopaedic patients
    Leaflet published by the ICRC on the programme for socio-economic reintegration of orthopaedic patients implemented in northern Iraq. The objective of this programme is to assist the most vulnerable heads of households who have been directly affected by the consequences of armed conflict in Iraq.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq)
    Field newsletter Includes PDF

    8-6-2009
    The ICRC orthopaedic programme in Afghanistan
    The ICRC has been permanently present in Afghanistan since 1987, and the orthopaedic programme was one of its first activities. The first ICRC Orthopaedic Centre opened in Kabul in 1988. More than 90,000 Afghan disabled have been assisted through the Orthopaedic Programme. Today, this programme is the ICRC's largest activity in Afghanistan and the institution is more than ever committed to do its utmost to continue supporting physically disabled Afghans.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan)
    Field newsletter Includes PDF

    11-5-2007
    Kunming Physical Rehabilitation Centre
    The 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 rehabilitation and physiotherapy care for 850 amputees.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\China)
    Field newsletter Includes PDF

ICRC film
    19-9-2006
    Afghanistan: surviving the Peace
    Travelling 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

    31-12-2003
    A new life for Mohsin
    Mohsin, 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 Publication
    18-1-2009
    Exercises for lower-limb amputees: gait training
    This booklet/CD-ROM provides examples of basic post-prosthetic exercises for use by physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants, orthoprosthetists and others involved in the gait training of lower-limb amputees. The aim of these exercises is to help amputees regain their self-confidence and to walk as well as possible.
    (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Assistance)
    ICRC Publication Includes PDF

    13-7-2007
    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 Guidelines
    These 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

    17-8-2004
    Support for life: physical rehabilitation programme
    A 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

Interview
    26-7-2010
    Special Fund for the Disabled: new Board member a champion of outstanding UN convention
    The latest Board member of the ICRC’s Special Fund for the Disabled is no stranger to disability. Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo has an extraordinary background, including playing a key role in the development of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She explains why the convention is remarkable in so many ways, and talks about the specific and significant role the Special Fund has to play.
    (ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health\Physical rehabilitation)
    Interview Includes Photo

    14-1-2010
    Iran: physical rehabilitation specialists discover just how much they have in common
    Experts in physical rehabilitation from Africa and the Middle East met in Tehran recently for a seminar. They discovered that many problems are universal. Fortunately, they also discovered that National Societies and the ICRC are willing to provide support, as these interviews with some of the participants demonstrated.
    (ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health\Physical rehabilitation)
    Interview Includes Photo

    29-5-2008
    Amputees in Sahrawi refugee camps to receive artificial limbs
    On 15 May 2008 the ICRC began manufacturing artificial limbs for Sahrawi amputees living in the refugee camps around the town of Tindouf, in south-western Algeria. Monhem Arab, an ICRC limb-fitting technician, explains how he and a physiotherapist have been working in Tindouf for the past year on a project to help the disabled. Monhem Arab, who is Lebanese, has been fitting people with artificial limbs for over 20 years, about half that time for the ICRC.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Tunisia)
    Interview Includes Photo

Operational update
    27-5-2010
    Sri Lanka: recovering from conflict
    One year on from the end of hostilities, Sri Lanka is in transition from conflict to reconstruction and recovery. For the ICRC a lot remains to be done to meet the needs of conflict victims, including detainees and their families, amputees and other disabled people, displaced people and returnees.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka)
    Operational update

Photo Collection
    26-11-2009
    ICRC physical rehabilitation centre in Kabul: learning to walk again
    In Afghanistan, the ICRC manages six physical rehabilitation centres and a workshop manufacturing prosthetic/orthotic appliances, bringing assistance to mine victims and other persons with limited mobility across the country. These photos were taken at the ICRC's centre in Kabul in 2009 by renowned war photographer James Nachtwey, from the VII photo agency.
    (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific)
    Photo Collection Includes Photo

    9-7-2008
    Angola: three decades of service to the war-disabled
    Angola has thousands of victims of land mines, a legacy of war. Recently the ICRC handed to the authorities its physical rehabilitation programme, which has assisted victims for nearly three decades.
    (Info resources\Photos\Africa)
    Photo Collection Includes Photo

    17-4-2008
    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

More in this section
    1-12-2007
    Bibliography on health services
    (ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health)

    9-8-2005
    Caring for landmine victims
    Every 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.
    (ICRC Activities\Assistance\Health\Physical rehabilitation)
    Includes PDF

Other site
    20-3-2010
    ICRC special fund for the disabled
    The ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled (SFD) supports physical rehabilitation services in low-income countries. Priority is given to former projects of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
    (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



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4-09-2010