Agir en faveur des personnes handicapées et des groupes particulièrement vulnérables : l’approche globale de Handicap International (English) Titre Anglais: Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups : The global approach of Handicap International Date: 1998 Public: Grand public Type: Ouvrage, Rapport Epuisé. Consultable au Centre de Documentation Téléchargeable Lyon : Handicap International, 1998.- 13 p. Ce document présente l'approche globale de Handicap International telle qu'elle était développée en 1998 dans les programmes de l'association : définition du handicap et de la vulnérabilité ; approches et méthodes d'action ; promotion de l'autonomie via le partenariat, la formation et le transfert de compétences ; domaines d'intervention... Avec l'aimable autorisation de Handicap International : URL de la source du document : http://www.handicap-international.fr/ © Droits d'auteur réservés et strictement limités. - Tous droits de traduction, reproducteur et adaptation réservés pour tous pays.

1. COLLECTIONS development and strategies
Strategies
Acting
on behalf
of the disabled
and particularly
vulnerable groups
The global approach of
Handicap International
May 1998

2. Acting
on behalf
of the disabled
and particularly
vulnerable
groups
The global approach of
Handicap International
Page 1
The purpose and general role
of Handicap International
Page 4
Approaches and methods of action
Page 10
The fields of intervention and actions
of Handicap International
May 1998

3. The Collection Strategies is aimed at presenting the view-
point and position of Handicap International through
comprehensive texts on ethical, political and social
questions relating to international solidarity. The texts
published are updated on an annual basis and accor-
ding to major events.
“Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly
vulnerable groups. The global approach of Handicap
International” was produced by the Monitoring and
Positioning Service of Handicap International’s
Programme Unit.
Any requests for information, comments and contribu-
tions concerning the texts published in the Collection
Strategies are to be sent to:
Luciano Loiacono, Service Veille et Positionnement,
Direction de l’Unité des Programmes,
Handicap International,
14, avenue Berthelot 69361 Lyon cedex 07 - FRANCE
Tel : (33) 04 78 69 79 79. Fax. (33) 04 78 69 79 94.
E-mail : handicap_int_lyon@compuserve.com
© HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL
Lyon, may 1998

4. The purpose and general role
of Handicap International
The global approach of considerably, but the principles of its action
Handicap International are always based not only on assistance adap-
ted to both local resources and know-how and
Handicap International is a non-governmen- the socio-economic environment, but also on
tal, international solidarity organisation crea- the transfer of skills and the autonomy of the
ted in 1982 and governed by the law on non- people who benefit from its aid.
profit organisations. Article 1 of its statutes
states that “Handicap International is aimed A global approach to the notion of
at helping people with disabilities regardless handicap
of their cause or nature, both in the nationalA handicap is not a medical condition but
territory and in every corner of the globe”. the social consequence of a disease1 res-
“Cause” in this context is taken to mean such ponsible for an impairment which leads to
diverse phenomena as diseases, deficiencies, disability. Disability in combination with a
accidents and violence perpetrated against given context, results in a situation of han-
people during natural disasters and armed dicap. Any person who, due to his or her
conflicts, while “nature” refers to any physi-physical, mental or psychological condition
cal, sensorial, mental or psychological altera-
experiences particular difficulty in playing a
tions. social role within society, is in a situation of
handicap. The living environment (poverty,
On a geographical level, although Handicap violence) creates or exacerbates conditions
International conducts most of its activities which are conducive to the spreading of the
in countries affected by poverty, crises and disease. It also imposes restrictions (econo-
armed conflicts (central and eastern Europe, mic, social, cultural, technological and legal
the Middle East, Africa, eastern Asia and norms) on people whose capabilities, which
Latin America), it also conducts projects in vary from one person to the next, do not
Western Europe. correspond to the norm. If the disease leads
to a deficiency which reduces the capacity
Throughout the years, Handicap Internatio- to carry out functional tasks, it is always the
nal’s field of competence has been extended social context which produces the handicap, 1
(1) Disease in the broad sense of alteration of a person’s state of health which can have various causes such
as malnutrition, infection, violent action against the body, etc.

5. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
stigmatises and excludes the disabled person in conjunction with adapting their environ-
(See figure 1, page 3). ment. Developing capabilities and restoring
skills, while at the same time improving the
The way in which the disabled are perceived living environment on a private (home) and
by their family and relations, the community, community level (urban landscape, transport,
the medical and administrative authorities employment), means that each person can
and sometimes the disabled themselves, sets use their capacities to the fullest.
off the exclusion mechanism. Changing peo-
ple’s perception of the disabled is therefore By encouraging social integration and redu-
one of the targets to be achieved. cing the extent and gravity of both disable-
ment and exclusion, this dynamic outlook
As a result, in order to be efficient, any action corresponds to a form of prevention of a
conducted in this field must correspond to a social character (tertiary prevention).
global approach to the disabled within their
environment. Help must not be directed A specific approach to the notion of
exclusively towards the disabled but must vulnerability
include the people around them, which The global approach to the notion of disabi-
explains why we talk about “disabled fami- lity enables the notion of vulnerability to
lies”.Any medical care or technical aid which be understood coherently. Vulnerability can
may be envisaged can only be valid if it be defined as the incapacity of a person, a
is part of a process of development and a group or a community to absorb the effects
global prevention mechanism. of gradual or sudden loss of an equilibrium.
Like the notion of disability, the notion of a
Preventive action must be carried out at person’s vulnerability depends on individual
several levels in order to combat: factors - not only age, gender and state of
- the underlying causes of invalidating diseases health, but also the political, economical,
and accidents (primary prevention) by trying social and cultural context. It also depends
to reduce risks through health education on the nature, extent and proximity of the
and vaccination campaigns, for example, or risks and threats to which the population
education campaigns for the prevention of is exposed. Generally speaking, children,
mine accidents in the countries concerned, women, the elderly and the disabled are con-
- the effects produced (secondary preven- sidered to be the most vulnerable groups.
tion) in order to reduce the physical impact
of the disease or accident, through medical Under certain circumstances, however, par-
care, the fitting of orthopaedic appliances ticular categories of people are especially
and rehabilitation. exposed.
Preventive action and medical care are
part of a development process because Thus vulnerability is evaluated according to the
2 they mean changing the disability level by degree of social development of a community
improving people’s aptitude or capability and the attacks to which it is subjected.

6. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
tify those who should be given special
To assume its role and carry out its action to attention, that is, people considered to be
the fullest, Handicap International defines its “disabled” because of a physical, mental or
own criteria for identifying vulnerable indivi- sensorial deficiency, isolated elderly persons
duals and groups. Handicap International’s and isolated children.
first criterion is loss of autonomy, when auto-
nomy is seen as the capacity of a person or Under particularly serious circumstances
group to look after its basic needs. The dete- (armed conflict, widespread insecurity, fami-
rioration of living conditions which results ne, forced displacement of the population)
from the breakdown or serious dysfunction the following can be added to the catego-
of economic and social systems poses the ries defined above: single mothers, pregnant
greatest threat to the moral and physical women (in the case of famine, the mother’s
integrity of those people who are the most malnutrition affects the health of the child
dependent on assistance from the family and who, from the time it is born, is the victim of
community. Handicap International’s aid pro- serious, permanent deficiencies) and those
grammes for vulnerable persons are mainly who have been psychologically affected as
directed at individuals or groups who are the result of serious violence or atrocities.
extremly dependent on other people to satis-
fy their basic needs or who are particularly Naturally, the programmes developed and
fragile in the face of disability-causing aggres- implemented on behalf of these people
sions. vary according to the context, the needs
that can be satisfied in the short term and
When conditions of well-being and even vulnerabilities which only long-term action
survival are not met or are continually can reduce and erase.
threatened, this definition is used to iden-
Figure 1 : The context creates the handicap
The context
Creates or increases the cons-
Creates or increases
the conditions for disease + traints (economical, social,
technological, legal standards
upsurge
and limits)
Physical, mental,
sensorial condition
= 3
Situation of handicap

7. Approaches and
methods of action
Reducing vulnerabilities In this respect, our actions are conducted
through solutions adapted in such a way that they cannot, through the
to the socio-economic perverse effect of stereotyping the groups
environment which benefit from them, confine people
within a particular category such as child
Helping the most vulnerable within soldiers, disabled, raped women, so that their
their community vulnerability becomes their most essential
Handicap International gives priority to hel- characteristic, which in turn leads to exclu-
ping the most vulnerable whose needs are sion.
not sufficiently taken into account by govern-
ment welfare services, and who do not have If Handicap International’s action is to be
access to the services offered by the private on-going and result in a lasting improve-
sector on a commercial basis. ment in the conditions of the people who
benefit from it, it must be global. Our basic
Basing aid on the concept of vulnerability work begins within the community, consi-
does not automatically mean that action is dered to be a social group distinct from
perceived in terms of assistance. On the con- the State and its sector and geographically
trary, each intervention is essentially aimed based administrative machinery. All its acti-
at restoring individual and collective auto- vities, including micro-projects and one-off
nomy. actions must be part of a logic which not
only benefits the individual, family and
By basing all our actions on this aim, we can community first, but also consolidates the
not only prevent emergency aid and assis- social structure on a local, regional and
tance programmes which deprive people of national level, whatever the commitment
self-responsibility from being systematically of the government. The main difficulty
applied to the most underprivileged, but also consists in working at the most basic level,
prevent exclusive or systematic aid from without creating a specific NGO system,
stigmatising groups identified as vulnerable, which would undermine or compete with
4 and development projects from only benefi-
ting the least needy populations.

8. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
the public service, no matter how fragile it
may be. wishes to facilitate this approach. Its know-
how is based on experience acquired in the
Implementing simple solutions and field and an approach which is aimed not at
appropriate technologies disseminating technical standards, but at fin-
For many years in the developing countries, ding appropriate solutions to the problems
Handicap International concentrated on trai- posed. Once solutions have been found, the
ning and setting up simple rehabilitation lessons learnt enrich our association and are
services using human and material resources used in other places, contributing both to
which were available locally. This approach exchanges within the South and better co-
clashed head-on with the ideas put forward operation between North and South.
by the main professional organisations and
some of the United Nations agencies which, Developing local
on the contrary, advocated the training of capabilities through training
personnel and the use of technical facilities and partnership
based on the therapeutic and technological
standards of the most industrialised western Training and the transfer of skills
So as not to act as a substitute for the local
countries.
population, local capabilities in the fields of
Many years were needed before Handicap preventive action, care and rehabilitation,
International was to hear that imported social and economic integration need to be
western solutions are unrealistic from an developed. In collaboration with local par-
economic viewpoint unless the dependence tnerships (the community groups concerned,
of poor countries on advanced technologies non-profit organisations and public bodies),
imported at great expense can be considered the field teams and technical co-ordinators
realistic. at head office develop training and teaching
programmes. Training is dispensed in such
Fortunately, the advantage of intelligently diverse fields as rehabilitation principles and
combining local resources with foreign know- basic psychomotor skills, basic and on-going
how has gradually been recognised. It has training of physiotherapists, social workers,
also been admitted that by providing local auxiliaries, administrative and financial
technicians from within the community with management staff, etc. For example, when
appropriate additional training, a core of rehabilitation units are set up (physiotherapy
indispensable well-trained people can be and fitting of orthopaedic appliances) as part
developed. of the medical and social system run by the
Ministry of Health or Social Welfare, the trai-
A community should not only be able to arti- ning dispensed by Handicap International is
culate its concerns and identify and express included in the official programmes so that
its needs and requirements, but also to envisa- the trained staff can be given a title, official 5
ge possible solutions. Handicap International recognition and full status in the medical

9. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
corps and social welfare profession. of disablement, necessarily depend on the
Special attention is given to training disabled establishment of both community and insti-
persons whose independence and socializa- tutional partnerships.
tion are systematically encouraged. • Partnerships with non-governmental
organisations (NGOs)
Using partnerships in order to elimi-
nate handouts Handicap International works with two types
Since it was created in 1982, Handicap of local NGOs – organisations of disabled
International has been working in the extre- persons and organisations which also con-
mely enriching but difficult field of technical duct therapeutic or social activities.
and cultural co-operation and exchange.
Whenever possible, Handicap International Organisations of disabled persons include
works in the heart of the communities both the disabled and their families. Their
concerned, according to the guidelines esta- aim is to assert their rights or set up econo-
blished by the World Health Organisation mic projects for the benefit of their members
(WHO) in community-based rehabilitation (money-earning activities, education, cultural
programmes (CBR) i.e. villages, refugee activities, advancement of social status, etc.).
camps, areas in the centre or outskirts of
cities in which workshops for orthopaedic Handicap International encourages the creation
appliances, rehabilitation services and voca- and development of these organisations and
tional training workshops have been set provides them with useful structural support in
up in close collaboration with the other defining their aims,developing intervention stra-
members of the community. tegies and organising their activities. Sometimes,
organisations of disabled persons - former
Handicap International uses a rehabilitation patients - seek the help of Handicap International
and development approach which does not to conduct technical projects on their own for
induce dependency in the people it helps or other disabled persons.
confine them in the role of victim or per-
manent patient. On the contrary, by letting The local organisations which run thera-
local members of the community take their peutic or social activities provide technical
rightful place, our action strengthens the platforms and become the focal points of a
social system while making the political sys- network which other local organisations and
tem more aware of its responsibilities. Also, groups can join in order to benefit in turn
the need to provide aid aimed at rapidly mee- from training and structural support.
ting needs as simply and as appropriately as Handicap International and its local partners
possible with regard to local skills and availa- pool their strategic approach to the pro-
ble resources, and the need to develop the blems at hand, the technical development
6 capacity of local members of the community of projects, and their human and material
to deal with problems relating to questions resources. Over and above the transfer

10. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
of technical skills, structural support and
partnership contribute to a relationship of things difficult – an inert or inefficient frozen
exchange which enriches the know-how of public service - and in the absence of a struc-
each of the partners. tured community life, Handicap International
still tries to find solutions which will directly
• Partnership with public structures: benefit the underprivileged, through the fami-
lies and non-institutional groups concerned.
Working with non-governmental local orga-
nisations does not exclude dialogue and Promoting autonomy and
collaboration with the structures and techni- sustainable development
cal networks managed by the central and Autonomy, partnership and participation are
regional authorities, usually run by the State. inter-related by definition. To become inde-
Collaboration is established on a technical pendent, a population, community or group
basis with the public bodies responsible for must take over the structures which are
implementing sector-based policies (health, designed to meet the concerns articulated
welfare, etc.). In many cases, the public and cover the needs identified.
sector needs to be made aware of its respon-
sibilities first and helped to either implement The participation of the people in the pro-
or restore its presence in fields which cover cess of change is the basis of any develop-
problems relating to disabled or highly vul- ment. Development is not a policy set up
nerable persons. by the State or international agencies and
imposed on suffering communities, but a
In countries in which these services func- process of social change aimed at satisfying
tion but are confronted with a lack of mate- economical, social, and political needs defi-
rial, technical or human resources, Handicap ned by the community concerned.
International proposes its know-how and
helps to develop the capabilities needed to In this context, the action of Handicap
look after these problems. This is done in International is naturally aimed at obtaining
collaboration with the ministries in charge rapid, notable improvement of the situation.
of these services, not only on a central However, it is also aimed at encouraging
level, but also in the provinces and districts. the articulation of needs and the setting up
Handicap International seeks to combine the of civil bodies (groups, societies and orga-
energies of the different people involved. nisations) responsible for finding concrete
answers.
Whenever possible, Handicap International The role of the foreign NGO consists in
tries to work with the public sector and stimulating and accompanying processes
local NGOs, by encouraging sector-based which will lead to the emergence of local ini-
collaboration within technical co-ordination tiatives. Just as human development should
bodies. not be seen as a simple accessory of econo-
mic and industrial growth, no development 7
But when everything combines to make model is universal, nor is it applicable from

11. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
the social system, influence the socio-econo-
the outside, to a given population. mic choices of the political system, and help
to change the economic system so that, over
Because development corresponds to a and above improvements in the economic
voluntary approach aimed at improving situation, structural measures will be taken
living conditions and the definition of well- to reduce factors of disability and exclusion.
being is mostly subjective, development
strategies must be determined by the popula- Heightening awareness and
tions themselves, according to their specific involvement at a national and
cultural and ecological environment. international level
• Heighten awareness and involvement of
• Backing up economic activities to further the people, advise and control the national
social development and international political authorities.
Since the economic viability of the projects One of Handicap International’s basic con-
carried out is necessary for them to have cerns is to further social progress in order to
a lasting effect, Handicap International pays meet the needs of the most vulnerable cate-
particular attention to economic and finan- gories of the population while strengthening
cial constraints. This means not only looking the foundations of citizenship.
for the least expensive solutions but also
integrating these solutions into locally mana- The important work of rehabilitation and
ged economic mechanisms, which guarantee development carried out in the field is
both access of the largest number of people echoed by information and awareness cam-
to the services offered and continuation of paigns conducted by Handicap International
these services in the long term. in Europe for the general public and poli-
tical authorities. Handicap International’s
For this reason, the economic projects sup- communication is based on several aims.
ported by Handicap International are not The first is to combat the marginalisation
aimed at enriching a particular person or of disabled persons and promote solutions
group. They must meet social development which contribute to greater integration.
objectives and contribute to improving the To meet its aim of international solidarity,
living conditions of the vulnerable groups Handicap Internatio-nal calls the attention of
which benefit from them, both of which the public and media to economic or structu-
are guaranteed by redistribution procedures ral challenges which face the populations of
drawn up and set out in the partnership countries in the throes of crises or extreme
agreements negotiated. poverty. Naturally, our organisation also
publicises its missions and achievements in
As an international solidarity organisation order to collect private and public donations
8 deeply concerned with reducing vulnerabi- to finance its activities.
lity, Handicap International must act within

12. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
On an international level, in partnership with
other associations, Handicap International rights and, it goes without saying, furthering
also plays a role of heightening awareness of the rights of disabled persons.
and involvement. The aim is to give advice
and have a positive influence on co-opera- Since 1992, Handicap International has been
tion, development and humanitarian relief running an international campaign, as part
policies instigated not only by the State of a vast movement of international agen-
but also regional communities such as the cies and organisations, aimed at the total,
European Union or, in an international con- immediate prohibition of antipersonnel
text, the specialised agencies of the United mines. Its commitment was recognised by a
Nations. major international organisation, the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Despite its non-governmental status, but (UNHCR) in October 1996, when it was
because NGOs are now fully-fledged inter- awarded the “Nansen” medal in recompense
national players, Handicap International not only of its action on behalf of refugees,
regularly interpellates public opinion and but also of its exemplary combat against
both national and governmental political antipersonnel mines.
authorities. It expresses its views and seeks
the support and co-operation of other non- The International Campaign to Ban
governmental and governmental organisa- Landmines (ICBL), of which Handicap
tions on very diverse questions – the amount International is a co-founder and member
of aid to be given to threatened populations, of the steering committee, was awarded the
the type of co-operation policies to be set Nobel Prize for Peace for 1997.
up or reinforced to promote sustainable
development in poor countries or countries
undergoing massive change, violation of
international humanitarian law and human
9

13. The fields of intervention
and actions of
Handicap International
Throughout the years, in an endeavour to while respecting differences.
reduce individual and community vulne- Consequently, through both its technical co-
rabilities and develop local capabilities in ordination units and departments and its
contexts of severe poverty and conflict, field workers, Handicap International con-
Handicap International has acquired specia- ducts prevention, rehabilitation and develo-
lised skills which it puts to use in multidisci- pment projects in various fields of interven-
plinary programmes. tion.
For Handicap International, the notion of Rehabilitation of disabled per-
the rehabilitation of disabled persons also sons:
covers social inclusion.
- creation or development of neighbourhood
Based on this concept, widely developed structures for physiotherapy and the fitting
within the scope of close collaboration with of orthopaedic appliances and equipment
local NGOs and the medical, social and manufacturing units;
administrative authorities in the countries
concerned, the restoring of community ties, - development of local human resources
schooling, vocational training and the pro- for physical rehabilitation and the fitting
motion of rights become objectives in their of orthopaedic appliances for disabled per-
own right in the strategy to be implemen- sons;
ted.
- supply of specialised products, materials
Far from being a “charity” approach which and equipment and setting up of supply
makes people dependent on donations networks;
without in any way changing the political
and legal environment, the promotion of - promotion of Community-Based Rehabili-
rights and equal chances corresponds to an tation (CBR)
approach based on social change which is
10 aimed at constantly advancing the status of Inclusion is only possible through changes in
human beings and the exercise of citizenship often belittling attitudes to disabled persons.

14. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
To achieve this, actions which may seem charge of the most vulnerable groups:
of secondary importance are conducted to - young children;
encourage the disabled to exist in their own - unaccompanied minors;
right: - isolated elderly persons;
- single mothers;
- promotion of vocational and social inclu- - extremely dependent sick people.
sion, access to education, culture and sport
for disabled persons; The support of organisations and institutions
includes:
- promotion and support of organisations - organisational support and technical aid
of disabled persons and local initiatives on (including medical care);
their behalf; - training or upgrading of health care provi-
ders or supervisory staff;
- support in developing national policies - technical and material support.
for the inclusion and integration of disabled
persons in the furthering of human rights Its aim is to provide vulnerable groups with
and citizenship. access to:
- psychological support, guidance and thera-
Psycho-social aid for peutic help;
particularly vulnerable - food relief or nutritional guidance;
individuals and groups: - economic and social support.
Handicap International wishes to act on In the face of phenomena produced by crises
behalf of people who, due to their physical and armed conflicts, Handicap International
condition, age, gender and economic and has experience and specific know-how in
social situation, are in a position of vulnera- the following fields:
bility and are faced with the same problems
as the disabled in order to satisfy priority • Rehabilitation, fitting of artificial limbs
needs and exercise basic rights. and integration of disabled ex-servicemen;
In all these cases, the aid given to vulnerable • Psychological support for individuals and
individuals and groups is aimed not only groups subjected to violence and atrocities;
at reducing physical vulnerability but also
at upholding or restoring their personal • Help to the most vulnerable groups within
and collective dignity which is essential for displaced or refugee populations. Massive
maintaining ongoing social bonds. population movements generate enormous
health-related problems (nutritional, medical,
• Support to local NGOs and institutions health, clothing and shelter problems). The 11
responsible for the psycho-social sector in often difficult conditions (unreliability or

15. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
lack of transport, climate) increase the fragi- “child soldiers”;
lity of a large percentage of the population, A successful return to peace largely depends
particularly those with reduced indepen- on the political will of the parties concerned
dence due to their state of health or social and the international community not only
situation (dependants or persons with family to demobilise the armed forces, but also to
responsibilities). accompany them in their return to civilian
life as ex-servicemen in an often negative
During periods of displacement and in both socio-economic context. Disabled ex-service-
temporary and long-term camps which are men and child soldiers (children militarised
always characterised by precariousness and before the age of 15 years in violation of the
insufficient means of subsistence, the fol- International Humanitarian laws, or before
lowing medical and social activities can be the age of 18 in violation of numerous natio-
carried out: nal regulations) are two particularly sensitive
groups2.
- Help and supply of the bare necessities
(food, clothing, health) to the most vulnera- Readapting to civilian life and reinstatement
ble categories of people; are the result of a complex process which
includes several types of activities:
- Identification and medico-social guidance
of the most vulnerable people, especially the - Identification and guidance of disabled
disabled; soldiers and “child soldiers”, medical aid and
specific care, tracing of families, setting up
- Creation and development (in camps or of reconciliation and resettlement processes
other sites) of temporary structures to look with the original communities, restoring
after vulnerable people, particularly care struc- of family and social bonds, psychological
tures for the disabled (health care, rehabilita- support and social aid in achieving reinstate-
tion and orthopaedic appliance fitting centres ment.
for the paralysed or disabled, shelters for peo-
ple who have been subjected to violence); Global fight against antipersonnel
mines:
- Preparation for the home return, repatria- Since it was created in 1982, Handicap
tion support, follow-up and help in going International has been confronted with the
back into the community. enormous devastation caused by the use of
antipersonnel mines. Tens of thousands of
• Support for the demobilisation and reins- disabled men, woman and children who have
tatement of disabled ex-servicemen and been helped by Handicap International have
12
(2) Their fragility stems from the psychological conditioning they have undergone, acts of violence which they
witnessed or in which they participated, and breaking down of the basic ties with their community. In a con-
text of demilitarisation, absence of consideration and support encourage asocial and sometimes violent indi-
vidual and collective behaviour in these people which contributes to instability and general insecurity.

16. Acting on behalf of the disabled and particularly vulnerable groups
in common the fact that they were mutilated - Management and participation in the
by this weapon. national and International Campaign to Ban
Landmines (awareness and involvement of the
In order to act on a global level, Handicap public, institutional lobbying). This campaign
International has extended its field of tech- is based on the information and involvement
nical intervention to confine and reduce one of civilians, in order to interpellate political
of the main causes of physical disability. As leaders and government authorities in all the
special resources are needed to carry out countries in which it is represented.
this combat, Handicap International has set
up a mine action co-ordination unit with Its aim is to obtain: (1) increasing efforts on
specialised technical facilities. As well as the
the part of governments and international
care and rehabilitation of victims, Handicap organisations to clear countries with landmi-
International conducts technical and politi- nes, (2) the unilateral commitment of each
cal actions: country to change its military and industrial
practices with respect to the manufacture,
- Support in creating and developing local exportation and use of antipersonnel mines,
capabilities to combat mines (assistance in and (3) the collective commitment of all
administrative and logistic management to the countries in the world to make total
national institutions responsible for control- prohibition of antipersonnel mines the new
ling and co-ordinating anti-mine activities, international standard.
technical support to educate the population
in order to prevent mine accidents, map Handicap International supports the crea-
making, marking and mine clearance). tion and development of national campaigns
in countries in which landmines are used.
- Implementation and participation in super- ___________________
vising civilian neighbourhood mine clea-
rance projects. In addition to its specialised action,
Handicap International has a multi-disci-
- Support in the development of techniques plinary department called “Action Nord
and technologies applied to the detection Sud“, whose aim is to implement program-
and identification of mined areas and mine mes in the fields of education, rural deve-
clearance. lopment, promotion of public health, impro-
vement of town planning, collective infras-
tructures and housing.
13

17. Handicap International country
headquarters and representations
FRANCE
Headquarters: E.R.A.C. - 14 avenue Berthelot
69361 LYON CEDEX 07
Tel. 04 78 69 79 79 - Fax. 04 78 69 79 94
e-mail: handicap_int_lyon@compuserve.com
Office: 104-106 rue Oberkampf 75011 PARIS
Tel. 01 43 14 87 00 - Fax. 01 43 14 87 07
e-mail: hiparis@compuserve.com
web: //www.handicap-international.org
BELGIUM
Headquarters: 67 rue de SPA - 1040 BRUXELLES
Tel. 32 2 280 16 01 - Fax. 32 2 230 60 30
e-mail: handicap.international.be@euronet.be
web://www.creativem.com/handicap
DENMARK
Headquarters: Sundevedsgade 2
41751 COPENHAGUEN V
Tel. 45 33 24 88 00
Fax. 45 33 24 88 69
SWITZERLAND
Headquarters: Avenue de Joli-Mont, 11 CH
COLLECTIONS 1209 GENEVA
Tel. 41 22 788 7033 - Fax. 41 22 788 7035
conceived and edited by e-mail: 100731.1225@compuserve.com
GERMANY
HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL Headquarters: Hirschbergstrasse.3
14 avenue Berthelot D-80834 MÜNCHEN
Tel. 49 89 13 03 98 00 - Fax. 49 89 13 03 98 01
69361 Lyon cedex 07 FRANCE e-mail: HIMunich@compuserve.com
Tel. (33) 04 78 69 79 79
USA
Fax (33) 04 78 69 79 94 Representation: 4 400 Upton - Apt 401
MINNEAPOLIS - MINESOTA 55410
e-mail: handicap_int_lyon@compuserve.com Tel. 1 612 925 94 18 or 1 612 928 19 45
e-mail: sbwhandicap@igc.apc.org
PRICE: 50 FF UK
ISBN: 2 .909064 .36.0 Representation: 32 Dukes Ride - Silchester Berkshire
RG72PY
Tel./Fax. 44 1 189 700 500
e-mail: lc58@dial.pipex.com