Following disasters like the recent earthquake in Haiti (12th January 2010), disabled people are known to be among the most vulnerable. Physical barriers created during the destruction are an even greater obstacle to those with mobility disabilities. Disabled people are often unable to access medical services. For those living in emergency shelters, water and latrine arrangements may be inaccessible. When emergency food aid is distributed disabled people are often at the back of the queue.

Prior to the earthquake, Motivation was facilitating the establishment of a wheelchair service at Healing Hands of Haiti in Port au Prince in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. In March of last year, four staff from Healing Hands of Haiti were trained in the provision of appropriate wheelchairs as per the World Health Organization's (WHO) Guidelines on the provision of Manual Wheelchairs in less resourced settings.

Whilst the premises of Healing Hands of Haiti have been destroyed by the earthquake, all of its staff have fortunately been accounted for and the team trained to provide wheelchairs have set up wheelchair services at facilities provided by Handicap International.

In an emergency situation, it is imperative that the wheelchairs provided are of high quality and provided through rehabilitation services that can ensure the short term survival and long term recovery of the individual wheelchair user. Motivation's Worldmade Active Folding wheelchairs, which comply with the WHO Guidelines, are due to arrive and be distributed in Haiti in April. These are four wheel foldable wheelchairs which, in the immediate period following the disaster, are the most suitable for distribution.

Whilst Motivation's Active Folding wheelchairs are needed as soon as possible, in the medium to long term there will be a need for a range of appropriate wheelchairs and postural support products, including the Worldmade Rough Terrain and Worldmade Supportive Seating range.

Motivation is keen to collaborate with stakeholders in Haiti to ensure that disabled people are provided with appropriate wheelchairs quickly and efficiently, in addition to ensuring a good infrastructure is built to provide wheelchair services in the future. Through collaboration, Motivation can:

supply a range of appropriate wheelchairs in large quantities to address the immediate and long term needs of wheelchair users;

provide appropriate training to ensure that these products are delivered through an effective service.

If you are interested in working with Motivation on the provision of appropriate wheelchairs in Haiti, please contact Motivation.

Motivation has a wheelchair fund for instances when disabled individuals in low-income countries do not have the means to pay for their own wheelchair. If you would like to make a donation to Motivation's wheelchair fund please call us on 01275 464012 or make an online donation.


Updated March 2010