Mobility, independence and economic security for people with disabilities: a matter of dignity

02-12-2011 Photo gallery

The first steps towards restoring the independence and dignity of people with disabilities are health care and physical rehabilitation. Artificial limbs, orthotic devices, crutches and wheelchairs help them to regain mobility. But that is not enough. The next step is for them to achieve social reintegration and financial independence. In many parts of the world, the ICRC carries out initiatives to get people with disabilities moving around again and to help them to be financially independent.

- Pokhara, Nepal, 2011. Green Pastures hospital and rehabilitation centre. An ICRC orthopaedic surgeon and technicians from the centre check the alignment of an artificial limb.
  © ICRC / B. Rai / np-e-00238
A collection of photos, illustrating the ICRC’s activities around the world to rehabilitate and reintegrate people with disabilities, published to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2011.
- Cartagena, Colombia, 2009. The REI Foundation for comprehensive rehabilitation. An ortho-prosthetic technician, who is himself disabled, works on an artificial leg to replace the thigh, knee, ankle and foot.
  © ICRC / C. von Toggenburg / co-e-00669
- Battambang, Cambodia, 2010. Regional physical rehabilitation centre. Final checks are made on an artificial leg to test the knee joint before fitting the patient. Most of those treated at this centre are landmine victims.
  © ICRC / I. Brown / kh-e-00272
- Kabul, Afghanistan, 2010. The ICRC orthopaedic device and physical rehabilitation centre. Mohammed lost his leg when a homemade bomb exploded.
  © ICRC / K. Holt / af-e-01787
- Juba, Sudan, 2010. Physical rehabilitation centre supported by the ICRC. Two ICRC physiotherapists examine the stump of a woman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who has sought refuge in Sudan, before fitting her with a new artificial leg.
  © ICRC / J. Warren / sd-e-02471
- Kabul, Afghanistan 2010. ICRC orthopaedic centre. A young man suffering from polio. A physiotherapist gets him to do exercises to boost stability and strengthen his muscles.
  © ICRC / K. Holt / af-e-01731
- Kabul, Afghanistan, 2010. ICRC orthopaedic centre. A young girl suffering from cerebral palsy learns to keep her balance.
  © ICRC / K. Holt / af-e-01783
- Battambang, Cambodia, 2010. Regional physical rehabilitation centre. Patients wait to get their new artificial legs checked. The correct alignment is tested by walking.
  © ICRC / I. Brown / kh-e-00270
- Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2010. Heri Kwetu centre for physical rehabilitation and treatment of war casualties, supported by the ICRC. A young man wounded during the war regains mobility by playing sport.
  © ICRC / P. Yazdi / cd-e-01093
- Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2010. A man travels to the Heri Kwetu centre for physical rehabilitation and treatment of war casualties to get his artificial leg adjusted.
  © ICRC / P. Yazdi / cd-e-01097
- Pakistan, 2011. The Hayatabad paraplegic centre is run by the Pakistan Ministry of Health, with financial and practical support provided by the ICRC. It treats patients from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  © ICRC / A. Yusufzai / pk-e-01253
- Pokhara, Nepal, 2010. Green Pastures hospital and rehabilitation centre. Fifteen-year old Tulasi had one leg amputated at the age of 11 following a landmine accident.
  © ICRC / N. Shreshtha / np-e-00233
- Iraq, 2010. Azad lost both his legs in a landmine accident. He has been earning a living producing honey since being supplied with beehives by the ICRC as part of its micro-economic projects.
  © ICRC / J. Müller / iq-e-00993
- Iraq, 2010. Zuria poses outside her house with her family. She lost her right leg when she was 9 years old. The ICRC gave her a cow, enabling her to support her family by producing milk and selling calves.
  © ICRC / J. Müller / iq-e-00983

Mobility, independence and economic security for people with disabilities: a matter of dignity

02-12-2011 Photo gallery

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