Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM

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MessageAfghanistan is a country that has faced more than twenty four years of war and two greatest armed aggressors: the Soviet invasionand international terrorism. During these trying periods, the Afghans have greatly suffered, witnessing mass murders, violence, forcedmigrations etc. One of the main consequences of these events has been disability of a large number of Afghans including children,women and men who have lost their limbs during the wars, by landmines and UXOs. While hundreds of thousands of Afghans weredisabled by war and landmines, many more have acquired impairments from birth, inadequate healthcare, congenital disabilities,accidents or malnutrition and preventable diseases such as polio. Large numbers of people who were psychologically traumatisedreceive minimal services, if any. In addition, there are many people with learning disabilities, mental impairments and multipledisabilities that are yet to receive adequate attention from the international community, the Government of Afghanistan and disabilityorganisations working in Afghanistan.Unfortunately, in addition to these serious problems, lack of healthcare, low economic levels, lack of awareness about disabilities insociety and inadequate education have isolated persons with disabilities and their families even more.Advocating for the rights of persons with disability is one of the top priorities of the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled and SocialAffairs. The current situation and lack of possibilities in the country for persons with disabilities calls for urgent support of the IslamicRepublic of Afghanistan and from the national and international community and organisations. Despite the initiatives already takenin Afghanistan, a lot has still to be done to fully integrate persons with disability into the Afghan society.Because of lack of consolidated national data, there was no real accuracy of disability figures on which action could be taken. Therefore,the National Disability Survey in Afghanistan (NDSA) became a priority and was launched in September 2004 at the request of theMinistry of Martyrs and Disabled and Social Affairs. Information regarding the Afghan population with disabilities was essential toevaluate the extent of needs to be addressed. Understanding livelihood, social participation, coping strategies and assessing theservices that were effectively available to persons with disability and how they access these is useful knowledge for the Ministry ofMartyrs and Disabled and Social Affairs, as well as other partners to define a National Disability Strategy. Such a strategy, based onscientific knowledge, aims at designing and coordinating effective public policies in a context of limited resources.I am extremely pleased that during the crucial time and with landmines affecting Afghans every day this survey is now scientificallyand technically completed. I am confident that the results and findings presented here will be of great value to all decision-makersworking in the field of disability in order to define programmes and policies that are relevant, efficient and sustainable.Once again I would like to thank Handicap International who has carried out this study and I wish more success for HI. The Afghannation will never forget the support of anybody in this critical situation in Afghanistan.Hajji Sayed Mohammad Hadi “Hadi”Deputy Minister of Martyrs and Disabled and Social Affairsx National Disability Survey in Afghanistan 2005
PrefaceThe National Disability Survey in Afghanistan was undertaken by Handicap International on behalf of the Government of Afghanistanand supported by a number of donors interested in obtaining reliable information that could assist the government and relevantstakeholders to target limited resources addressing the needs of people with disability throughout the country. It is with this in mindthat the NDSA was developed and funded. Information is key for the development of policy and programme activities and is essentialfor continued advocacy and support of disabled persons globally.The fieldwork by the NDSA team was completed under extreme security situations and harsh conditions. The work of drafting theresults of the research has now been completed. This long awaited process, supported by those within the disability sector and thedonor community, is ready for use. This executive summary gives an overview of the entire research project that is available insupplementary research chapters focusing on specific issues of education, health, employment and gender and will be invaluable forprogramme planning and advocacy activities.Although the NDSA prevalence rate for disability may be perceived as lower than expected, I believe that when compared to thoseprevalence rates of other nations impacted by landmines and recovering from conflict, the Afghanistan figures will be among thehighest. I also believe that as we push forward with programme activities and advocacy through our government partners, theprevalence rates will begin to increase as the availability of services, better healthcare, awareness of disability causes and issues alongwith greater inclusion of people with disability, will bring about a marked change in the survival of disabled persons and the reportingof disability in Afghanistan.I have been part of the NDSA survey team from the very beginning. I am proud of the work put forward by my dedicated colleaguesand believe that the dissemination of this important information will assist us in moving forward the Mine Ban Treaty obligations forvictim assistance and marking progress within the context of “Addressing the rights and needs of mine survivors and other personswith disabilities: The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s objectives and plan of action for the period 2006-2009”.Information is key to raising awareness and advocating for the rights and dignity of all people, including those people with disabilitythroughout Afghanistan.Susan HelsethVictim Assistance and Mine Risk Education CoordinatorUNMACA/UNICEFPrefacexi
Page 3 and 4: Islamic Republic of AfghanistanUNDE
Page 5 and 6: ContentsAcknowledgementsAbbreviatio
Page 8: Figure 25 : Retention, Transition a
Page 11: AbbreviationsAFAs : AfghanisBPHS :
Page 15: IntroductionAs the process of recon
Page 18 and 19: Figure 1. Sampling Stages of NDSA1s
Page 20 and 21: A variety of subjects and fields ad
Page 22 and 23: • Beliefs and expectations of wha
Page 24 and 25: Prevalence Threshold with Regard to
Page 26 and 27: The proportion of persons with disa
Page 28 and 29: Mental disability shows a much more
Page 30 and 31: The effectiveprevalencerate of seve
Page 32 and 33: to a maximum of 37.4% unable to coo
Page 34 and 35: Table 3. Proportion of Persons with
Page 36 and 37: Table 4: Proportion of Persons with
Page 38 and 39: Figure 9. Distribution of Persons w
Page 40 and 41: Figure 12: Distribution of Persons
Page 42 and 43: Comparing the situation between mal
Page 44 and 45: Figure 17. Number of Visits to Heal
Page 46 and 47: Table 5: Yearly Average Expenses (A
Page 48 and 49: 32 Understanding the Challenge Ahea
Page 50 and 51: A crucial aspect that influences ac
Page 52 and 53: Table 6 highlights the advantage th
Page 54 and 55: Figure 26: Retention, Transition an
Page 56 and 57: to take this into consideration whe
Page 58 and 59: • Boys with physical disability a
Page 60 and 61: 44 Understanding the Challenge Ahea
Page 62 and 63:
Figure 32: Distribution of Persons
Page 64 and 65:
to others: usually they benefit fro
Page 66 and 67:
Figure 37: Distribution of Active P
Page 68 and 69:
52 Understanding the Challenge Ahea
Page 70 and 71:
According to NRVA 2003, poverty is
Page 72 and 73:
means that the average living space
Page 74 and 75:
Page 76 and 77:
Figure 46: Distribution of Househol
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62 Understanding the Challenge Ahea
Page 80 and 81:
The inability tobear children is am
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The situation is somewhat different
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706050• Landmine/UXO Survivors•
Page 88 and 89:
ConclusionInclusion is a major fact
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of persons with disability 48 . Thi
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GHOSH N., MOHIT A., MURTHY R.S. (20
Page 95:
The National Disability Survey in A
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Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM

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