Our History

Since HI’s beginnings in the Cambodian refugee camps in 1982, here are some key dates in our history.

HI is conducting an emergency intervention in Rohingya refugee camps. Mobile teams identify injured people and purpose rehabilitation cares.

Keydates

Thailand-Cambodia Border, Khao I Dang refugee camp, Jean-Baptiste Richardier with a beneficiary.

1982

Orthopaedic fitting for Cambodian refugees in Thailand and the official creation of Handicap International in Lyon, France

Orthopaedic fitting centre opens in Angola, the organisation’s first African programme.

1984

Orthopaedic centre opens in Angola, the organisation’s first African programme

Intervention in Romania, working with orphans

1990

programme in Romania, working with orphans

1992

Launch of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and the first mine clearance operations in Cambodia

1994

Intervention in Rwanda in the wake of the genocide

HI is jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the ICBL campaign.

1997

Signature of the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty. HI is jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as co-founder of the ICBL campaign

M85 cluster munitions gathered on the ground.

2003

Launch of the campaign against cluster munitions

2006

United Nations adopts the international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

2008

Signature of the Oslo Treaty banning cluster munitions

Emergency response intervention in Haiti.

2010

Emergency response interventions in Haiti and in Pakistan

2012

Emergency response intervention in the context of the Syria crisis

2015

Emergency response intervention in Nepal

Emergency response intervention in Haiti , hurricane Matthew.

2016

Emergency response intervention in Haiti and Iraq-battle of Mosul

2017

Emergency response intervention in Bangladesh with the Rohingyas refugees

2018

The global Handicap International network changes its name to Humanity & Inclusion

Sensitization on covid 19 of women in prenatal and maternal health consultations and distribution of hygiene kits produced by HI Togo.

2020

Global response to the Covid pandemic

People cross the Medyka border crossing from Ukraine to Poland.

2022

Intervention in Ukraine following the Russian invasion

2022

International agreement against bombing in populated areas signed in Dublin

Emergency search and rescue crews search through the rubble of destroyed buildings in Hatay, Antakya, Turkey, caused by the recent earthquakes.

2023

Intervention in Turkey-Syria following the 6 February earthquake

Prizes and awards

During its more than thirty-five year history, HI has become renowned for its campaigns, in particular against explosive weapons. This dedication, as well as our commitment to working to the highest quality and ethical standards, has been acknowledged with a number of prizes and accolades.

Joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

In 1997, HI was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This prize recognised its work within the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). The award was announced one week after the signing of the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty outlawing antipersonnel landmines. This major political breakthrough was the result of five years of sustained efforts to ban this “coward' weapon”.

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize

In 2011, HI was awarded the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize for all of its work with people with disabilities. This prize awarded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation acknowledged almost thirty years of operations. Each year this award honours a non-profit organization judged to have made “extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering.”

United Nations Recognition

Special consultative status

Since 1999, HI has had special consultative status with the United Nations.

Two Nansen Refugee Awards

In 1996, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees named HI as the winner of the Nansen Refugee Award. This prestigious prize acknowledged its “outstanding service to the cause of refugees”.
In 2008, the Nansen Refugee Award honoured the work of the deminers working out of the United Nations Mine Action Coordination Centre in South Lebanon, including three HI mine clearance teams.

Photos : © HI - © HI - © Y. Gaumetton/HI - © J. Rodsted - © HI - © ICBL - © J. Rodsted/NPA - © C. Dixon/HI - © K. Munch - © W. Daniels/HI - © G. Dubourthoumieu/HI - © L. Veuve/HI - © B. Almeras/HI - © P. Poussereau/HI - © HI - © T. Nicholson/HI - © INEW - © T. Nicholson/HI

HI is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

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