The first Handicap International projects in the Maldives began after the tsunami of 26 December 2004. Since that time, the organization has provided technical support to the Red Cross to improve access to buildings and services for people with disabilities. It also helps the public authorities develop a national strategy in favour of people with disabilities.  Handicap International has thus facilitated the process of the integration into national law of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A community-based rehabilitation project has been set up too.

IN FIGURES

International staff: 4
National staff: 3
Budget:  303.188 €
Support to Tsunami projects implemented by Handicap International France in Sri Lanka and Indonesia: 592.609 €

For 2008, one of the main objectives was to conceive and carry out a national survey on the situation of people with disabilities to get a census of this population and its needs.  Thanks to the survey, it was possible to develop a personalized early detection tool that will be finalized in 2009.  It can be used to assess school-age children and other people who may have a disability or need appropriate treatment for impairments.  

On Thinadhoo and Hithadhoo Islands, we have already done the survey.  All people with disabilities have been identified and their situations have been recorded.  Subsequently, they can be put in contact with social workers on projects geared to community-based rehabilitation.

During 2008, we also supported the creation of organizations of people with disabilities.  The organization for the deaf and hard of hearing "Maldives Deaf Association" (MDA) has been officially registered, along with the association of parents of children with disabilities, "The Association for Disability and Development". The associations are now active in a series of projects and awareness. Thanks to the project implemented by Handicap International in cooperation with the MDA and the Ministry of Education, five teachers have had training in sign language.  Today, these people are leading training courses for teachers in special education. The Maldives sign language dictionary is now complete and will be distributed to each school and to the families whose members include a least one deaf person.

At the end of 2009, the Handicap International projects in Maldives will be complete and the organization will withdraw from the country.  In this last year, we are particularly emphasizing studies on disabilities. We will also take care to see that our partners and the authorities continue to work for the welfare of people with disabilities.