Skip to main content
Home International Committee of the Red Cross
Find help Donate
Back
  • Happening now
    Happening now

    Discover what’s new

    Stay updated with the latest news and ongoing initiatives of the ICRC.

    Latest operations

    Featured

    • A community kitchen in Myanmar
      Myanmar: One month on, earthquake survivors face continuing challenges
    • Red Cross Field Hospital aerial shot
      The Red Cross Field Hospital one year on: A lifeline and a stark reminder in Ga…
    • Red Cross staff at a water distribution
      Every attack on a humanitarian is an attack on the community they served. A sta…
  • Who we are
    Who we are

    We are the International Committee of the Red Cross

    Neutral, impartial, and independent. Discover our values and mission.

    Discover who we are
    • About us
      Our rich history, our mandate and mission, and our Fundamental Principles are behind the work we do to protect and save lives.
    • How we are run
      Our President and leadership, our finances and our accountability ensure the integrity of our humanitarian operations.
    • International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement
      The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world.
  • What we do
    What we do

    Our work to protect people affected by conflict

    The ICRC responds quickly and efficiently to help people affected by armed conflict.

    All our activities

    In focus

    • ICRC working with the Myanmar Red Cross Society to support people displaced by violence in Pin Laung and Hsi Hseng, to provide emergency aid. Photographer: Thang Khan Sian Khai
      Protection: Upholding the rights of people in conflict
    • Reconnecting families: Preventing separation, searching for the missing, reunit…
    • Helping detainees: Protecting and assisting people deprived of their liberty
  • Where we work
    Where we work

    Explore our global reach

    We have offices in over 90 countries around the world, providing assistance and protection to people affected by conflict.

    ICRC around the world

    Key operations

    • Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • Ethiopia
    • Israel and the occupied territories
    • Lebanon
    • Myanmar
    • Sudan
    • Syria
    • Ukraine
    • Yemen
  • Law & Policy
    Law & Policy

    Law & Policy

    Gain insights into the ICRC's role in developing and promoting international humanitarian law and policy.

    Discover more
    • Geneva Conventions and the law
      Even wars have rules. The Geneva Conventions are at the core of international humanitarian law.
    • Topics, debates and disarmament
      Weapons and disarmament, protected persons and other contemporary challenges for international humanitarian law.
    • Teaching IHL, research, Advisory Service and other resources
      We support the teaching, learning and implementation of humanitarian law principles.
  • Support us
    Support us

    Partner with us

    We invite organizations, institutions and philanthropists to join us in our mission to alleviate the suffering of those affected by armed conflict.

    How to partner with us

    Support us

    Find out how you as an individual can contribute to our humanitarian efforts to help people suffering because of armed conflict.

    How to support us
    • Ukraine: the crisis continues
    • Urgent: Israel-Gaza emergency appeal
    • Myanmar_Red Cross earthquake
      Urgent help needed: Myanmar earthquakes
  • Find help
  • Donate
  • Events
  • Contact us
  • Report an incident of misconduct
  • Work with us
  • FAQ
ICRC Websites
Photo gallery
20-01-2019

Overcoming disability and unemployment in Gaza

  • Israel and the occupied territories
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Economic Security

Share

  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Alyona Synenko

“Employers are usually reluctant to hire someone with a disability”, says Sameh, who lost both legs during 2009 war. Despite his background in business administration, Saleh could not find work after his legs were amputated. His education and skills became useful again when he applied for an ICRC microeconomic initiative grant and opened his own stationery shop. Sameh studied the market to ensure his business was successful.

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Alyona Synenko

Saleh used to be a construction worker. After he lost his leg, returning to his old job was no longer possible. For several years, Saleh managed to support his family driving a taxi. As unemployment increased, however, many more people became taxi drivers, while the number of clients went down. “My mother used to grow rabbits when I was twelve”, says Saleh. “This gave me the idea to start this business.” “I don’t define myself as a person with disability, Saleh continues, I am a person with ambition. I want to work and achieve things.”

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Alyona Synenko

Thaer, who lost his limb during the 2009 war, managed to turn a small hobby into a large business establishing his own chicken farm after he received an ICRC grant.

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Alyona Synenko

Ahed lost both legs in 2012. He spent two years in rehabilitation and was unable to earn a living for almost three years. His younger sister who studies IT at university came up with an idea to install solar panels and sell internet cards providing WI FI connection in the area. Ahed applied for a microeconomic grant and now sells internet cards to his neighbors.

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Alyona Synenko

Noor is a teacher. Thanks to the grant, she could realize her dream of running her own school.

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Alyona Synenko

“Running my own business is the best option for me”, says Issam, who used the ICRC grant to open a coffee shop in the port area. “The majority of the jobs available in Gaza are manual and require physical strengths. Being my own boss is the best solution.”

CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Alyona Synenko

ICRC supports Artificial Limbs and Polio Center in Gaza (ALPC), where people with disabilities receive physical rehabilitation, mobility devices, and psychological support to overcome trauma and regain confidence. Through the ALPC many apply for the ICRC micro economic initiative grants. The grants enable them to provide for themselves and their families, taking control of their future. Since 2016, over 300 people took advantage of ICRC cash grants and its technical support to start new businesses or to reinforce the existing ones.

Paralyzed by severe movement restriction Gaza economy has been steadily deteriorating for the past ten years. As the unemployment rate reached 53%, competition on the job market became fierce and people with disabilities often find themselves in a disadvantage compared to everyone else. Few places in Gaza are wheelchair accessible, while regular power cuts make tall buildings out of reach for those with limited mobility. 

Related articles

The ICRC works with the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) to deliver assistance to remote areas.
Photo gallery
15-01-2025

Myanmar: The year 2024 in pictures

The ICRC team pitcured with community of Gulbahar, Kapisa
Photo gallery
31-12-2024

Afghanistan: A year of responding to numerous humanitarian challenges

ICRC staff member is raising awareness on the dangers of mines and explosive remnants of war.
Photo gallery
20-08-2024

Azerbaijan: Closure of Barda office marks the end of over 25 years of impact

More photo galleries

Topic-dedicated ICRC websites

Explore our blogs, apps, reviews and other resources dedicated to humanitarian impact, insight, law and policy.

ICRC Websites

Direct access

  • Find help
  • Donate
  • Events
  • Contact us
  • Report an incident of misconduct
  • Work with us
  • FAQ

Newsletter

Fields marked with * are required
To learn how we process your data, visit our Privacy Notice.
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Privacy policy
  • Tax deduction
  • Privacy Settings
  • Community guidelines

Terms and conditions - ICRC ©2025 - All right reserved