Emergency

For many people humanitarian action is inextricably linked to emergencies. Is it necessary to act quickly? Yes. But emergency intervention is not the whole picture. For Handicap International, emergency intervention cannot be undertaken without being linked to development that corresponds to the populations' needs.

Right from the beginning of the first phase of intervention, Handicap International works in close collaboration with national and international organizations to structure its intervention around short-term objectives (responding to immediate needs); medium-term objectives (restoring local capacities); and long-term objectives (strengthening systems and services and ensuring their durability).

A number of our current medium and long-term programs designed to lead to lasting change are the end result of what began as emergency interventions.

This is the case in South-East Asia where the post-Tsnumai programs are managed on a day to day basis and in Pakistan following the earthquake in October 2005, where projects set to last for the next six months are currently underway. These include building and managing two orthopaedic and physical rehabilitation centers.

In crisis situations disabled people are very often forgotten. Providing them with assistance requires special skills which humanitarian aid workers often do not possess and do not have time to acquire. With its extensive experience in the field, Handicap International is able to compensate for this shortage in care by intervening directly to help vulnerable populations and by providing support for other teams in the field.

The organization is also able to act to prevent people becoming disabled notably by preventing the onset of any disabling after-affects.

In 1996 Handicap International received the Nansen prize, the most prestigious prize that can be awarded by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), for its work amongst refugees and victims of landmines. Handicap International was also awarded the Cristal prize in 1994 for financial transparency.