Victim Assistance (VA) is a set of concrete actions aimed to meet the immediate and long-term needs of mine/ERW victims and persons with disabilities. Victim assistance is a core component of mine action and an obligation of states parities under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty Article 6 of the treaty states that each state party in a position to do so shall provide assistance for the care and rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration, of mine victims and for mine awareness programs.
Concept of Victim Assistance:
The concept of Victim Assistance is the care, rehabilitation and reintegration into society to meet the needs of mine victims, their families and communities affected by mines.
Objectives:
- To improve the Information Management System.
- To enhance the coverage, effectiveness and sustainability of medical care and physical rehabilitation services.
- To develop and implement programs for psychological support, social reintegration and economic empowerment.
- To enhance the effectiveness of advocacy, legislation and policies to meet the needs of mine /ERW survivor and other persons with disabilities.
- To mobilize adequate resources to achieve the objectives of the Work Plan.
- To strengthen coordination mechanisms at national and international levels.
Areas of VA:
| Areas of VA | Details |
| Emergency Medical Care | Training of heath and community workers in first aid for traumatic injuries; development of an emergency response system (including supply or consumables and equipment, transport for rapid evacuation, etc.). |
| Continuing Medical Care | Surgery, pain management and general medical care. |
| Physical Rehabilitation | Community-based rehabilitation networks; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; production and distribution of prostheses (pre and post prosthetic care), orthotics, mobility aids, wheelchairs, tricycles, etc. |
| Psychosocial Support and Social Reintegration | Counseling, community-based peer-to-peer support, associations for the disabled, sport and other activities, access to education for children, etc. |
| Economic Reintegration | Income generating activities (IGAs); individualized or small group micro-enterprise or micro-credit programs; craft production; training (groups, on-the-job training, B&A training, academic education, etc.); job placement – job development, etc. |
| Laws and Public Policies | Development and/or implementation of laws and policies to safeguard the rights of PWDs, including mine/ERW victims; dissemination of information (laws, policies, etc.) on rights of mine/ERW victims and other PWDs; positive action towards inclusion of mine/ERW victims & other PWDs; awareness-raising on disability issues. |
| Information Management System | Injury surveillance systems; data collection; needs assessments (qualitative and quantitative information). |