On December 3rd, the world celebrates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. HI joins the global mobilization to call for persons with disabilities & their human rights to be put at the center of humanitarian and development efforts.

22 years after the entry into force of the Treaty, the Fourth Review of the Convention on the Prevention of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction has started this Monday in Oslo and will last until the 29th of November.

On Monday, 18 November, at the United Nations in Geneva, States’ delegations, militaries, UN agencies and civil society will gather to start discussions on a political declaration against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Every year, more than 50 million people are injured in road accidents worldwide. Road accidents are one of the main causes of acquired disabilities. 

A set of professional strategies and practical guidance published today aims to improve the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian aid delivery and ensure their participation.

Alongside 50 weapons clearance experts working in Chad, HI uses a remote-controlled platform, a German-made GCS 200, to clear large areas in record time.

HI has assessed the needs of victims after the Philippines was struck by several earthquakes between 16 and 31 October. 

On September 24, an earthquake struck Pakistan, killing 40 people and injuring 900. Humanity & Inclusion’s team is on the ground, providing support to the most vulnerable.
 

Everyday HI’s staff experience the devastating impact of the Syrian crisis across the region. This conflict has caused not only severe physical and mental trauma, but devastated vital infrastructure such as schools and hospitals.

The Syria INGO Regional Forum, comprising 73 INGOs responding to the Syria crisis, expressed deep concern at the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation since Turkey’s military operation started on the 9 October. The UN estimates that more than 200,000 people have been displaced, and is planning to support up to 400,000 people with assistance and protection in the coming period. 

Gregory Le Blanc, Director of HI Colombia, tells us about the situation facing Venezuelan refugees in Colombia and describes HI's emergency response.

On the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on the 13th of October, HI experts explain how we aim to include everyone in resilience-building initiatives. 

After nearly a decade of nation-wide conflict, the Turkish incursion into northeast Syria reignites the cycle of violence, worry and uncertainty for people living in the area. HI is deeply concerned about how the military escalation will affect the civilian population. HI calls on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, especially people in populated areas that are being attacked with airstrikes and artillery.

Suad Al-Qadri works as a psychosocial support counsellor for HI in Sana'a, Yemen. Below, she talks about the mental condition of the patients assisted by HI and the impact of bombing on the psychological health of the city's inhabitants. 

Vienna, October 2nd, 2019. A great number of 133 states gathered for two days at the Vienna Conference “Protecting Civilians in Urban Warfare”. A majority of attendants announced that they were ready to work on a political declaration to end human suffering caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The discussions that will take place in the 6 months to come will be decisive to protect millions of civilians living in war zones.