By Abir Joubran-Dakwar, AADP Policy Intern, February 22, 2010
On January 12, 2010 an earthquake hit Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. The earthquake caused a lot of injuries, loss of lives and left one third of the country’s population in need. Today, more than one month after the earthquake, organizations and teams are still working to save lives and to provide shelter and food for millions of people of Haiti. While the situation remains to be hard for everyone in Haiti, people with disabilities are particularly suffering from the crisis.
Via a teleconference briefing by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) in early February, AAPD learned more about the dire situation for people with disabilities in Haiti. Speakers were from USAID, Handicap International and Christian Blind Mission (CBM). Karen Heinicke-Motsch, Director of International Programs at CBM, stated that there were about 800,000 people with disabilities in Haiti before the earthquake. As a result of the earthquake there are far more, including 2,000 more people with amputated limbs. These numbers are likely to increase.
Wendy Batson, executive director of the U.S. branch of Handicap International, stated that as a result of the earthquake most of the local hospitals and schools were destroyed or damaged leaving people with disabilities without regular supports. Worse yet, a special education center in the capital city of Port-au-Prince was destroyed, leaving hundreds of people with intellectual disabilities without early education and vocational training services. She stated that many people, especially people with disabilities, are facing serious challenges and difficulties, lacking food, shelter, medical assistance and orthopedic equipment.
A USAID representative said that "doctors and the government of Haiti are making sure that the efforts include the needs of children with existing and new disabilities." USAID is working closely with groups on the ground and is focused more on saving lives. At the same time, "USAID will continue to participate in interagency discussions on budget needs within all different sectors. For example when schools are rebuilt they must be accessible. As new teachers are being trained, inclusive education and mainstreaming must be part of the curriculum and training."
According to a Statement of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the Situation in Haiti, the needs of the people with disabilities has to be included in the relief of the Haitian people. The disability perspective "should be included in all humanitarian relief efforts to meet the needs of the disabled people [...] . The committee stresses that it is important to address the specific needs of person with disabilities."
Mr. Al-Tarawneh, chairperson of this committee stated that, "the disabled risk being left out unless a disabilities perspective is built into the recovery process from the start." He added that "the trauma caused by this disaster cannot be underestimated. Many disabled people in Haiti have been made even more vulnerable, especially if their caregivers have been killed or injured."
USAID, CBM, Handicap International and other organizations are coordinating and providing assistance and equipment for people with disabilities. However, there is still a need for wheelchairs, crutches and orthopedic equipment for people with disabilities and the newly disabled.
For denotation and information on ways you can help people with disabilities in Haiti please visit:
CBM at http://www.cbmus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=donate
Handicap International at http://www.handicap-international.us/?id=668