Bolivia

In 2010, Handicap International organised an exploratory assignment in Potosí province and decided with its partner, the local NGO Ayninakuna, to work in the towns of Puna and Cotagaita. In partnership with the NGO Terre des Hommes, we carried out a needs assessment of people with disabilities in these towns. The assignments revealed a willingness in the country to improve the situation of people with disabilities. This is further illustrated by Bolivia’s ratification of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In addition, there are many local organisations dedicated to people with disabilities. The challenge facing Handicap International is to assist in the process of creating municipal unities for the benefit of people with disabilities, to be managed by the authorities, which, in years to come, will be responsible for the coordination between all players involved in  disability issues.

Together with Ayninakuna, Handicap International will carry out a community-based rehabilitation project in the coming years with the aim of enabling people with disabilities to integrate more easily within their communities.