From Cambodian Roots to Global Change: Discover Humanity & Inclusion’s (HI) Evolution from Refugee Camp to Worldwide Advocacy
Humanity & Inclusion (HI), also known as Handicap International began with a powerful vision: to address the immediate suffering of Cambodian refugees while also laying the groundwork for long-term change. More than 40 years ago, the Cambodian refugee camp of Kao I Dang was home to over 160,000 survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime. Among them were more than 6,000 mine victims, amputees abandoned to their fate because the local organisations failed to take care of their specific needs.
Founded in 1982 by doctors who witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of landmines, Handicap International was born out of a determination to get these people back on their feet, quickly expanding beyond emergency relief, so that they can maintain a social, family and economic life.
There was no question of waiting for a more favourable period for quality care. The association worked with local resources and developed leather and bamboo orthopaedic devices: a concrete and effective response to the emergency. With the same ambition of enabling everyone to stand on their own two feet, HI then broadened its scope of action, tackling both the causes and consequences of disability. This initial focus on rehabilitation and support for those with disabilities has evolved into a comprehensive mission, encompassing mine action, advocacy, and the promotion of inclusive societies globally.
The association has thus engaged in a fight against the use of cluster bombs and anti-personnel mines, and the use of weapons in populated areas, crowned by 2 prohibition treaties and an international convention, but also in professional integration, the defence of the rights of people with disabilities and inclusive education. Today, HI stands as a testament to the founders’ dedication to creating a more just and accessible world, by pursuing its holistic approach, and has made agility, capacity to adapt and innovation its method of intervention. Nowadays, Humanity & Inclusion continues to rely on this tried and tested method to carry out its mandate as long as there is a need.
“The causes of disability in South East Asia are diverse, ranging from landmines to road accidents and illness. How does HI’s work respond to this range of challenges, and what specific assistance is provided to help people with disabilities regain their mobility and independence?”
Humanity & Inclusion’s operations are based on contextual analysis and consideration of the environment, and are driven by constant concern to protect civilians. In Cambodia, where explosive remnants of war kill and injure innocent victims every day, HI launched demining operations in 1992. The association has secured more than a million anti-personnel mines and destroyed nearly 3 million explosive devices before training local deminers in this work.
Road accidents are multiplying the number of disabled people in Laos, and Handicap International is carrying out prevention operations. Thanove, who was himself involved in a motorbike accident in 2008 that killed his passenger, is working alongside the association to raise awareness of road safety principles among motorcyclists and students.
The healthcare system in Vietnam suffers from a lack of detection of disabling illnesses in the youngest children, and Handicap International carries out maternal and child health initiatives.
In order to take action wherever necessary, the association has focused on development and works with local associations and political authorities to transform society and its communities. This does not prevent it from taking emergency action in situations of conflict, natural disasters or epidemics, with particular attention paid to people with disabilities or vulnerable people, as was the case in the Philippines after typhoon Rai in 2013. Every year, Handicap International works in South East Asia to help people regain their mobility and dignity. By 2023, it had changed the lives of more than 170,000 beneficiaries in the region.
Discover the transformative work of Humanity & Inclusion (HI) and explore the breadth of their impact in Southeast Asia and globally by visiting their website: https://www.hi-us.org/en/index
If you’re moved to support their vital mission of empowering vulnerable populations through rehabilitation, mine action, and advocacy, please consider making a donation via our dedicated page.
