From Loss to Independence … Supporting 145 Victims of War and Remnants to Reclaim Their Lives
War leaves behind consequences that go far beyond destruction and the loss of property, deeply impacting individuals and their daily lives, particularly those who have lost a limb due to shelling, landmines, and war remnants. Amidst the physical, psychological, and social challenges they face, the provision of prosthetic and rehabilitation services stands out as an essential step toward restoring independence, enhancing self-confidence, and enabling active participation in society.
As part of efforts to support these groups and enhance their self-reliance and social integration, GOPA-DERD’s team, in cooperation with DKH, implemented a project to fit upper and lower prosthetic limbs, from which 145 persons benefited in each of the governorates of Raqqa, Aleppo, Lattakia, and Deir ez-Zor.
Beneficiaries were selected based on well-studied criteria that prioritized men, women, and children who lost a limb as a result of shelling, landmines, or war remnants, alongside a prior medical evaluation conducted by a specialized team to determine each case’s suitability for a prosthesis, the appropriate type, and the required rehabilitation phase.
Also, social and economic situation was taken into account, with giving priority to the most vulnerable who cannot afford the costs of fitting and physical therapy, along with taking into account the geographical distribution to ensure fairness of access to the service in the most affected areas.
This project contributed to improving the quality of life of beneficiaries, through helping them restore their ability to move, self-reliance, enhancing their confidence in themselves, and reducing feelings of isolation and despair, in a way that supports their integration into their communities. It also allowed them broader opportunities to continue education, work, and practice their daily life with dignity and independence, while supporting them with rehabilitation and physical therapy services that enhance their ability to adapt to prosthetic limbs and benefit from them.
In light of the difficult humanitarian conditions and as a result of the recent events in As-Sweida Governorate, GOPA-DERDu2019s team, continues its emergency response and relief efforts to meet the needs of displaced and affected families.
GOPA-DERDu2019s team provided 18 2-cubic-meter water tanks to shelters housing families arriving in Eastern and Western Maliha, Al-Harak, Rakhm, and Ma’araba in rural Daraa Governorate.
The team also conducted a comprehensive and accurate needs assessment, in coordination with the Emergency Committee in Daraa Governorate, to meet all needs and provide the required services. This is part of an organized effort to ensure a sustainable response at a high level that matches the growing need and responds to the difficult humanitarian situation and its numerous challenges.
With the aim of supporting displaced families and providing them with assistance, the team distributed food kits to families hosted by the local community.
In the village of Ghasm in the countryside of the governorate, GOPA-DERDu2019s team distributed shelter kits to the families who arrived, wich distributed across 3 shelter centers within the village and surrounding areas.
The kits included mattresses, blankets, mats, tarpaulins, kitchen utensils, solar lighting and charger, and other essential supplies, in cooperation with UNHCR.