Supporting People with Disabilities in the earthquake affected district of Mansehra, Pakistan (North West Frontier Province)

Leonard Cheshire Disability (LCD) is working to support children and persons with disabilities affected in the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005, in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. The earthquake left around 87,000 people dead, 2.8 million without shelter and over a million without any income. Many people were also disabled in the disaster.

In partnership with Community Appraisal and Motivation Program (CAMP), an NGO working in the area, LCD has started a Disability Resource Centre (DRC) in Mansehra district. This centre is the first-of-its-kind in Mansehra, where organisations offering disability rehabilitation services are almost negligible.

Working on a rights-based approach, the DRC caters to the needs of children and adults with disabilities in 20 villages. The centre actively campaigns on 'Inclusion'. Some of the rehabilitation services offered at the centre are - provision of prosthetic limbs, orthopedic braces, wheelchairs, physiotherapy and psycho-social care. These services are provided directly or through referral.

A Resource Library has also been set-up at the DRC premises with information on disability legislations and schemes, for the benefit of people with disabilities and their family members visiting the centre.

Some of the project achievements till date

• The project has reached out to 313 persons with disabilities, of which, 35% are women. This is a significant achievement, given the cultural context of the area, where women, especially those with disabilities are often not seen or heard.
• The project has made a significant impact in changing community attitudes towards persons with disabilities.
• As a result of the sensitisation programmes held by the DRC, government officials and NGO staff are willingly providing services to people with disabilities in the area.

Today, the work of DRC is recognised by the government and NGOs in the area. The DRC is considered a nodal organisation on disability in Mansehra.

Mr. Khadim Hussain
Inclusive Education Officer
DRC, Mansehra