Press Office

London, 12th May 2015. A new report, published today by charity Handicap International, reveals the high degree of weapons contamination in Syria and warns that the lives of 5.1 million Syrians - including more than 2 million children - are at risk. Handicap International is calling on all the parties to the Syrian conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and immediately end the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The international community must also urgently respond to address the harmful effects of these weapons on civilians.

London, 27th April 2015. Up to 3,600 people have been killed and more than 6,500 injured in Nepal, according to figures released by the United Nations . Several regions have been cut off and the number of victims continues to rise. Handicap International expects to see significant numbers of spinal cord injuries and multiple fractures among the injured people arriving at hospitals. It is paramount that the wounded are taken care of immediately to reduce the risk of long-term disabilities. 

London, 25th April 2015 . Handicap International has launched an emergency response following the violent earthquake that hit Nepal on earlier today. At least 970 people are reported dead, but that provisional toll is expected to rise given the widespread scale of destruction. Active in Nepal since 2000, Handicap International has already provided emergency wheelchairs to several hospitals. The organisation is calling for donations to help injured and vulnerable people.

London, 12 March 2015. Four years since the Syrian conflict began, the toll continues to rise. More than 190,000 people have died and one million have been injured. Tens of thousands of people urgently require orthopaedic fitting and rehabilitation. An entire generation of injured and disabled people need immediate and long-term care.

London, 15th January 2015. Handicap International today publishes a report “Bombs under the rubble”, evaluating the Gazan population’s awareness of the presence of explosive remnants of war (ERW). Following the Israeli offensive between 7th July and 26th August 2014, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) estimates that there are at least 7,000 unexploded devices and munitions, mainly mixed in with the rubble. Almost half of the people interviewed as part of the Handicap International study reported feelings of fear on a daily basis due to the presence of these bombs. 45% of people surveyed had benefited from awareness-raising actions, but children, particularly young boys, were identified as a ma­jor high-risk group that should be a priority for risk education to prevent accidents.