Amputation Crisis in Conflict Zones: Report Reveals Urgent Need for Rehabilitation Services in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine

For World Health Day (7th April) , a new report by Humanity & Inclusion (HI) reveals the devastating impact of explosive weapons in populated areas on healthcare access in conflict zones. The report highlights the catastrophic surge in amputations across Gaza, Syria and Ukraine. The widespread destruction, combined with a severe shortage of medical supplies and rehabilitation services, is leaving thousands of survivors without access to essential care, prosthetics, and the long-term support that they need. 

Key Findings on amputation and rehabilitation needs in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine

• Gaza: Ten children per day are losing one or both of their legs. More than 21,000 children have sustained war-related injuries, with at least 5,230 requiring urgent rehabilitation, yet Gaza’s only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation centre has been destroyed.  Humanity & Inclusion has just opened a new Prosthetics and Orthotics centre in the Middle Area and is starting to provide services.
• Syria: Approximately 3 million Syrians have been injured, and almost half of them have permanent impairments, including 86,000 amputations. Years of conflict have left thousands of amputees without access to prosthetic limbs or ongoing care.
• Ukraine: The demand for rehabilitation services has reached a critical level, with over 250,000 patients in need of care and treatment annually. The war has created an unprecedented demand for prosthetic limbs yet supply chain disruptions and staff shortages are making access to rehabilitation nearly impossible.

Humanity & Inclusion’s teams are on the ground in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine providing rehabilitation and mental health support as well as fitting prosthetic limbs.

“The staggering number of amputations in conflict zones is a direct consequence of the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas. Without immediate humanitarian access and funding for rehabilitation services, we risk condemning an entire generation to unnecessary suffering and disability,” says George Graham, Executive Director, Humanity & Inclusion UK.

The impact of explosive weapons use on healthcare

• Blast injuries from explosive weapons including amputations often require multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation. 
• However, the use of explosive weapons in populated areas has led to the widespread destruction of hospitals, clinics, and essential infrastructure, severely limiting medical services.
• Healthcare workers are increasingly being targeted, leading to workforce shortages and diminished quality of care.
• Unexploded ordnance prevents civilians from reaching medical facilities safely, and poses wider, long-term risks.
• The lack of rehabilitation services and mental health support in conflict zones leaves survivors with lifelong consequences.

A Failing System: The Human Cost of Delayed Care

Hospitals devastated, medical personnel killed, civilians deprived of access to vital healthcare: recent armed conflicts have created major barriers to healthcare access, exacerbated by the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.

The report highlights that blast injuries from explosive weapons often require multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation. However, due to shortages in medical personnel, assistive devices, and rehabilitation centres, many patients are left without proper stump treatment, prosthetic fittings, or post-amputation therapy.

In Gaza, where “people are using trees to make crutches”, the lack of surgical capacity and essential medical supplies is forcing children and adults to endure life-altering disabilities without any support.

“By destroying hospitals, attacking ambulances and killing medical personnel, the use of explosive weapons in conflict settings prevents access to healthcare and directly endangers millions of civilian lives. This situation is particularly harmful to the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, people with disabilities and older people, and is in total violation of International Humanitarian Law” says Alma Taslidžan, Head of Disarmament and Civilian Protection Advocacy at HI.  

Urgent Call for Action

Humanity & Inclusion is calling on governments, international donors, and humanitarian agencies to:

1.    Fund emergency and long-term rehabilitation services for conflict survivors.
2.    Ensure safe and unrestricted access to prosthetics, assistive devices, and trained medical staff.
3.    Prioritise rehabilitation in humanitarian response plans to prevent life-threatening complications and improve quality of life.

Notes

Spokespersons

• George Graham, Chief Executive, Humanity & Inclusion UK
• Alma Taslidžan, Advocacy Manager for Disarmament and Protection for Civilians, Humanity & Inclusion

Download the full report (pdf)