Iraq Crisis - Assistance for People with Disabilities - Handicap International Canada 2017-2019

December 2016 - The humanitarian situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate. The violence between armed groups and government forces has displaced over 3 million people from their homes. The capacity of the Government to respond to the basic needs of its citizens has been overwhelmed. While Daesh has lost considerable territory in 2016 it is expected that humanitarian needs will remain significant in the coming years. More people will be displaced by the conflict while many will remain displaced in camps and host communities. However there will also be growing numbers of people returning to areas no longer under the control of Daesh who will also need assistance to help restart their lives. With GAC’s support Handicap International Canada is improving the accessibility of physical rehabilitation psychosocial support services and community awareness of environmental risks for vulnerable conflict-affected Iraqis. Project activities include: (1) providing physical and functional rehabilitation services and psychosocial support services to people with functional limitations psychosocial distress and their caregivers; (2) providing training equipment and assistive devices to local structures providing physical rehabilitation services; (3) conducting awareness activities on chemical weapons (CW) and improvised explosive devices (IED); and (4) improving the accessibility of local structures.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to rehabilitation and psychosocial services to persons with disabilities psychosocial distress and their caregivers; (2) improved capacity of local structures to provide physical rehabilitation services; (3) improved access of the community to CW/IED messaging and safety messaging; and (4) improved accessibility of local structures. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or that are food insecure.