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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.

At the end of January, Arnaud Pont, who oversees Handicap International's projects in Ukraine, attended The Human Face of the Eastern Conflict conference in Brussels , which aims to address the humanitarian needs resulting from the conflict. Arnaud gives an update on this forgotten crisis.

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.

More than 1,500,000 people were affected when Typhoon Nock-Ten (known locally as Typhoon Nina) made landfall in the Philippines on 25th December 2016. Handicap International is now helping victims of the disaster to access accommodation and drinking water.

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.

Handicap International is continuing its work to help the victims of Hurricane Matthew, three months after the hurricane swept through Haiti. Over 700 emergency kits have just been distributed to victims of the disaster, enabling them to rebuild their homes and improve their living conditions.

On 12 January 2010, Haiti was devastated by an earthquake which killed 230,000 people and injured over 300,000. Handicap International took action immediately after the disaster to provide assistance to the victims. Seven years later, the organization is still working the country to ensure Haitians have access to rehabilitation services. 

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.

Boubacar, 33, works as a legal adviser at Senegal's Ministry for African Integration, NEPAD* and Good Governance. Handicap International provided him with occupational support to overcome obstacles arising from his disability. The organization highlighted his skills and made the Ministry for Public Services aware of the need to include people with disabilities on its teams.

Handicap International helps people with disabilities find work in the Dakar region of Senegal. Through personalized support, training and advocacy work with businesses, the organization helps them successfully enter the world of work.

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.

Two months ago, the Iraqi and Kurdish armed forces launched an offensive to retake Mosul, in Iraq. Since then, nearly 100,000 people have fled the city and its surroundings. Handicap International’s teams are working in various displacement areas to provide them with assistance.