ARTICLE - CLEARING A PATH

CLEARING A PATH FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES IN HAITI
(ReliefWeb) - Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

IOM is today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, underpinning its partnership with Handicap International (HI) with a commitment by both organizations to work together to improve the lot of the disabled in Haiti.

People living with disabilities in Haiti faced great challenges before the earthquake of 12 January. While the dramatic quake killed over 250,000, changing the face of Haiti in just 30 seconds, it also left many more people disabled.

These victims were hurt by falling debris and suffered severe life-altering injuries. Many of those disabled in the quake and those already disabled were also made homeless. They face enormous challenges living in camps where access to tents and shelters is usually a muddy track.

This lack of access has limited their ability to rebuild their lives.

Since the quake IOM, has been working closely with Handicap International to improve inclusion and access to services for people living with disabilities, especially in the 1,300 camps.

Where possible, IOM seeks to employ people with disabilities. For example, 60 Information Kiosks installed in camps for internally displaced people were manufactured by carpenters living with disabilities under a project of Association Arche D'Haiti. A second lot of 20 of these brightly coloured kiosks will be delivered to Port au Prince and installed next week.

"When you employ a person with intellectual impairments, as IOM did in this case, you reveal to that person the contribution they can make to rebuilding their country, in spite of the challenges and obstacles they face," said Jonathan Boulet-Groulx, the project director for Arche in Chantal, Southern Haiti. "Moreover these beautiful kiosks put a smile on people's faces when they see them and that is so satisfying for our carpenters."

IOM has also provided transport assistance for patients with amputations to access HI's Physical Rehabilitation Center. Between 70-80% of the patients seen each week are taken to the clinic by IOM's assisted discharge and referral teams. IOM also provides referral assistance for patients referred by Handicap International in need of specialized care or medical referral.

Handicap International has provided training to IOM camp management operations staff on accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities while IOM teams frequently refer camp residents who may be in need of assistance to HI Disability and Vulnerability Focal Points for physical and psychosocial support in collaboration with IOM's health unit.

There is a very long way to go to ensure that people with disabilities are included in all aspects of camp life, and have the same access to services and support as others. This collaboration between IOM and HI has highlighted the importance of this issue and the need to continue work on mainstreaming disability as a consideration in all humanitarian operations.

Slideshow of carpenters at work: http://tinyurl.com/IOM-Arche

For more information please contact Leonard Doyle, IOM Communications and media Haiti ldoyle@iom.int

Dr Patrick Duigan IOM Health pduigan@iom.int

Jonathan Boulet-Groulx project director for Arches, jbg_photo@yahoo.ca