The organisation was set up Lyon, France in 1982 when young French doctors and physiotherapists set up the first orthopedic centers in Thailand for Cambodian refugees who escaped the Khmer Rouge massacre and been maimed by landmines.

From its first projects, the organisation has since been working throughout the world to provide access to care and to improve the living conditions and the autonomy of PWDs. Over a period of more than 20 years, Handicap International stands strong in promoting Vivre Debout (Live Standing Up). It has set up programmes in more than 60 countries and has intervened in many emergencies. In addition to its work in the field, Handicap International is also involved in social struggles, in particular the fight against landmines, and signed an international treaty to this effect in 1997.

In recognition of its work, Handicap International was awarded the 1996 Nansen prize and medal by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. As co-founder and member of the pilot committee of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), Handicap International was a co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997.

Handicap International has developed an international network with sections in Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Great Britain, Canada and the United States.

People in disabling situations include:

• populations at risk of diseases, violence or accidents liable to cause disability;
• vulnerable populations and in particular disabled persons and persons living with chronic disabling diseases;
• refugee populations, populations living in disaster areas or populations displaced by crises, conflicts and catastrophes, and especially those persons among them who are vulnerable, injured and disabled ;
• populations threatened by weapons, munitions and explosive devices during or in the aftermath of military conflicts.

Handicap International acts in different context situations

• Emergency: Situations of serious crisis, conflict or disaster, the effects of which are unmanageable and threaten people’s lives, health and living conditions, as their basic needs are no longer covered.
• Post-emergency: Situation of varying duration following on from the acute phase of the crisis, characterized by the unavailability of services for covering the population’s needs, and preceding any reconstruction and rehabilitation processes.
• Reconstruction or Rehabilitation: A post-crisis, post-disaster or post–conflict situation during which the damaged economic, physical and social infrastructure is gradually restored and those services interrupted by the crisis are re-established.
• Development: Although often marked by poverty and exclusion, a stable context allowing processes for improving economic, social, cultural and political conditions to be implemented.
• Chronic crises: A situation of regular or enduring instability, generally caused by failing political, administrative and social institutions, and resulting in insecurity that, as in emergency or post-emergency situations, seriously affects the population’s living conditions.

In these contexts, Handicap International’s action aims to achieve the following goals:

• To prevent invalidity, impairment and disability linked to diseases, accidents and violence.
• To ensure the service offer in our sectors of activity is available, adapted and accessible
• To strengthen capacities, to promote social participation and the application and exercising of our target public’s rights.

In the time and space of conflicts and disasters, or in their immediate wake:

• To prevent and limit the consequences of crises and disasters on persons and communities
• To help organize relief, provide adapted assistance and cover basic needs, with a special focus on persons who are particularly vulnerable and those with injuries or disabilities