Disabled Haitian children dealt a double blow

The Haiti earthquake delivered some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens a double blow with the total collapse of the nation’s only school dedicated to helping visually impaired children and damage being sustained to all schools for children with disabilities.

Darren Ward, cbm’s New Zealand National Director, reports that children with disabilities (either pre-existing, or as a result of the earthquake) are missing out on much needed healthcare and rehabilitation. cbm, the world’s largest organisation that is dedicated to improving life for the world’s poorest people with disabilities, has been helping disabled Haitians for the past 30 years.

Mr Ward says although the earthquake has been devastating for all Haitians, it is particularly challenging for disabled people because they are being overlooked by many international agencies.

“People with disabilities are often hidden away from society and are therefore invisible, or their disability means they are simply unable to get to help.”

The earthquake means that many previously able-bodied people are now disabled. The lack of available medical care also means that what were previously minor injuries have become major problems due to infection, etc. This could turn a temporary disability into a permanent one.

Mr Ward noted that disabled and injured children were likely to miss out on formal education in future because their families were likely to focus on survival, rather than worrying about the hassles of getting their disabled child to school.

“These children will be very vulnerable to abuse and neglect. They are also likely to be at greater risk of psychological trauma because they will not be able to get back to a daily routine involving schooling and socialising with other children.”

“There’s an overwhelming need – not only to help people now, but to put facilities in place for the future needs of what looks to become a vast number of disabled Haitians.

“New Zealanders have already dug deep to help but we’re asking them to dig even deeper and donate to cbm’s appeal,” says Mr Ward.

Donations can be made via www.cbmnz.org.nz or by calling toll free to
0800 77 22 64.

Case study

11 year old Joseph Yara and her family survived the quake. In addition to breaking her leg, Joseph sustained facial nerve paralysis and is now unable to close one of her eyes. A cbm eye doctor is helping her and plans surgery that will enable Joseph to close her eye a bit. Meanwhile Joseph and her family are living in a settlement camp where sanitation concerns are growing and conditions are such that she is at increased risk of infection that will slow her recovery.

ENDS

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