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In January 2017, Handicap International launched weapons clearance operations in the governorates of Kirkuk and Diyala in Iraq. In one month, the organization has already destroyed more than 1,000 explosive remnants of war in sectors seriously affected by fighting. 

Jean-Baptiste Richardier, co-founder of Handicap International, was present at the 20th International Meeting of Mine Action National Program Directors and United Nations Advisors, which ended on 10th February 2017. Here, he explains why Handicap International is committed to humanitarian mine action.

Handicap International is preparing to launch mine clearance operations in Colombia after it was appointed by the government to clear contaminated land in three of the country's departments. Since April 2016 three teams of deminers have been trained and at least 40% of the deminers will be women.

Handicap International, active in Colombia since 1998 [1], is preparing to launch a five-year mine clearance operation in three of the country’s departments (Cauca, Meta and Caquetá). The organization is also continuing to deliver awareness-raising on the risks associated with landmines and explosive remnants of war, as well as victim assistance.

Handicap International attended the Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Chile from 28th November to 1st December. It used this opportunity to present its “integrated approach” to victim assistance. Elke Hottentot, Handicap International’s victim assistance expert, explains the challenges involved.

On 25th November 2016, Handicap International staff, government ministers, and local authorities in Laos gathered in Chao Anouvong Park, in Vientiane, to celebrate 20 years of action in the country. Handicap International organized a photo exhibition, film screenings and a performance to underline the impact of twenty years of projects in Laos.

This December, campaigners and school students up and down the UK held fantastic events to raise awareness and funds for the forgotten victims of conflict. As part of the Forgotten 10 Challenge, local groups organized eye-catching displays, ‘Tea at 10’ coffee mornings, and built Pyramids of Shoes to get people thinking about what life is like for survivors of bombings in countries like Syria. At the same time, school students from Surrey to Aberdeenshire learnt about civilians affected by war and took action to support some of the most vulnerable people on earth.

Since the offensive to retake Mosul began two months ago, nearly 100,000 people have fled the fighting. For several weeks, Handicap International has been providing assistance to displaced people, through emergency activities such as physical therapy care and psychosocial support, mine risk education, and inclusion initiatives. Maud Bellon, Field Coordinator for Handicap International’s Mosul Emergency Response, gives an update on the situation.

Kashmir, India. When Fayaz was 3-years-old, his legs were injured by an explosive shell. One year later, Humanity & Inclusion fitted him with artificial limbs. Back on his feet again, he’s now a budding cricket star.

As the year draws to a close, Aleema Shivji, Director of Handicap International UK, remembers children living in conflict zones all over the world, whose only wish for 2017 is peace.

The UK's biggest grassroots campaign in support of the forgotten victims of conflict has begun. Now in its eighth year, the Forgotten 10 Challenge will see campaigners and school students holding events between 1st and 10th December to raise awareness and funds for people and communities affected by conflict in countries like Syria and Afghanistan.

Handicap International is taking part in the conference of States Parties to the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, due to be held in Chile from 28^th November to 1^st December 2016. Anne Héry, Director of Advocacy at Handicap International, reflects on the importance of this meeting which should enable us once again to alert governments to the rising number of casualties.

Aleema Shivji, Director of Handicap International UK, blogs on the horrific situation facing Syrian civilians.

For over a year, Handicap International’s teams have been providing displaced children in Iraqi schools with information on the risk of landmines and other explosive weapons. More than 100,000 people have taken part in these activities since the launch of the organization’s emergency response in Iraq.

Civilians in Yemen are seriously affected by bomb attacks and the explosive remnants of war they leave behind, and by anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices acting as mines^[1]. Nearly 1,000 people were killed or injured by these barbaric weapons in 2015^[2]. As part of its response, Handicap International provides support to rehabilitation services in three health centers in Sana’a. More than 3,000 people received aid from the organization between March and September 2016, most of them casualties of the conflict.