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The ICRC has always helped for prosthetics and orthotic devices.
people disabled by conflict. After Three quarters of the projects
the Second World War, it ran involve close cooperation with
physical rehabilitation activities in government ministries, as physical
a number of countries, including rehabilitation is usually part of the
Algeria, Egypt, Finland, Hungary, national health structure. The ICRC
Israel, Nigeria and Vietnam. Initially, manages other projects alone or in
the organization worked through tandem with National Red Cross/
specialized companies, producing Red Crescent Societies or local
artificial limbs using technologies NGOs.
and materials imported from
industrialized countries. During Since 1979, hundreds of thousands
the 1970s the ICRC and the of people have received prosthetic or
World Health Organization set orthotic appliances, accompanied
up a programme in Yemen where by physiotherapy. Initially, ICRC
components were produced locally assistance focused on the direct
to avoid expensive imports. victims of war (people injured by
mines, UXO, bombs, etc.), but
In 1979, the ICRC established a today its assistance is widening 3
unit for the physical rehabilitation to include all victims, direct and
of war victims. Since then, it indirect.
has implemented and/or assisted
87 rehabilitation projects (i.e. The primary aim of the ICRC’s
physical rehabilitation centres) in physical rehabilitation programme
36 countries. Currently, the ICRC is to help disabled people who
physical rehabilitation programme are affected by the conflict or war
is active in 23 countries, assisting reintegrate into society, socially and
63 rehabilitation centres and two economically, both during the period
factories producing components of ICRC assistance and afterwards.
The ICRC promotes access to services, the quality of these services and their durability.
Thierry Gassmann/ICRC
How the ICRC supports physical rehabilitation
Mission
Their disabilities are permanent and they will need physical rehabilitation
services for the rest of their lives.
0847/002 07.2004 2,000 Dominic Sansoni/ICRC