Handicap International's emergency response teams assist the most vulnerable. In particular, we help people with disabilities, the injured, and those struggling with forced displacement due to conflicts or natural disasters. 

Current emergencies

Haiti Earthquake — A team of 540 people is working to support disabled and vulnerable people in Haiti following the earthquake that struck in January 2010. In December 2011, we celebrated the completion of our 1,050th shelter, earthquake and hurricane-resistant housing that's providing a safe place for about 5,000 Haitians to live.

Horn of Africa Crisis — Every day, about 1,000 refugees arrive to the already overcrowded Dadaab camps in Kenya. Among them, 60 percent are under the age of 12, or over the age of 60. Handicap International staff and about 100 local specialists (Kenyan and Somali teams of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, logistics officers, etc.) have been supplying aid to more than 16,000 people identified as the most vulnerable of the new arrivals. 

Liberia and the Ivory Coast — Handicap International launched an emergency mission in March 2011 to support refugees fleeing the violence in the Ivory Coast.

Libya — Handicap International teams are working to educate the Libyan population about the dangers posed by landmines, explosive remnants of war and small arms. Our teams are also clearing contaminated land of unexploded and abandoned devices. 

Pakistan floods — Handicap International continues to assist the most vulnerable people affected by the devastating floods that struck northwest Pakistan in August 2010 and again in 2011.

Philippines — When tropical storm Washi pounded ashore in December 2011, affecting the lives of 1.1 million people, Handicap International took immediate action and provided emergency aid to the victims. The country was still reeling from back-to-back Typhoons that struck in September and October.