Armed conflicts and wars : causes, consequences and disability concerns

Abstract EN

Armed conflict and civil strife are widespread and have affected over 40 countries worldwide in the past decade.

In 1990, it was estimated that 22 million people had died in 150 armed conflicts since the end of World War II.

The majority of these conflicts are in poorer countries, and the primary disability groups are from poor families - those who cannot afford to flee and are less able to access medical and rehabilitation services.

For every child killed by war three more are seriously or permanently disabled, resulting in four million children physically disabled and 10 million psychologically traumatized by war during the 1980's alone.

For example, evidence from afghanistan shows that incidence of disability has nearly doubled among children living in zones of armed conflict (UNICEF).

Disabilities, or functional problems, which can occur during overt conflict may include being weak, unable to see, and unable to protect oneself during armed attack.

At later post-conflict stages, being unable to rapidly respond to curfew, and being unable to look after basic hygiene and self-care may become problems.

These functional problems result in needs for specific rehabilitation programs such as muscle strengthening, mobility training, vocational retraining, and provision of adaptive devices.

During and after the war, health services should emphasize the need for continuity of care and long-term follow-up.

Emergency health relief must be linked with long-term development support and planning that not only permit survival, but also bring about long-lasting positive changes in children's lives.

Paediatric and gynaecological care must become a regular component of all relief programmes.

In the post-conflict phase, health systems must be sustainable, and programmes must be designed with as much involvement as possible from the affected communities.