Actively supporting the most vulnerable people in Ivory Coast crisis
16th June 2011, Ivory Coast emergency
Handicap International teams in Ivory Coast have expanded their activities over the last few weeks into providing care in hospitals, distributing walking aids and supporting the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis. Our emergency response is designed to help those most affected by the political instability and conflict that is ravaging the country.
Handicap International has now been present in the Ivory Coast for several months. We currently have eight expatriate staff implementing a number of different projects. A team of physiotherapists has been sent to the field to case-manage victims of the conflict (including numerous people with bullet wounds). They are providing emergency rehabilitation care to prevent the development of complications that could be fatal or could give rise to permanent disabilities.
Our team in Ivory Coast is running a number of activities, including physiotherapy sessions and immediate post-operative follow-up care, early rehabilitation for patients still in their hospital beds and joint exercises. We are encouraging the active involvement of patients, supporting them at each stage as they learn to stand up again, and monitoring their progress to prevent complications. We are also offering essential advice on care and changing bandages, etc. More than 500 people have already received rehabilitation care from the Handicap International team.
In addition, we are providing technical and walking aids to injured people, allowing them to move around and restoring their autonomy and mobility. We are producing splints and orthoses, and distributing crutches and walking frames. Over 800 walking aids have been distributed since the start of the emergency project.
People who are leaving hospital but still require care are receiving support once they have returned to their families and neighbourhoods. Our specialists are helping them to perform exercises to maintain their physical condition, making small alterations to make their homes more accessible, training their families how to care for them, and running psychosocial support activities to help people deal with the trauma of their experiences.
Handicap International is working in collaboration with health professionals from the Ivory Coast and several medical NGOs. We are playing a key role in the following health facilities: Abobo Nord hospital, Anayma hospital, the Yopougon university hospital, Attié mother and child unit in Yopougon, Cocody university hospital and Treichville university hospital.