Although the country is politically isolated, Humanity & Inclusion has been working in North Korea since 1998. Today, the organization runs projects in Pyongyang and six provinces. Its spheres of action are to ensure children with disabilities have access to education, to improve rehabilitation services, to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in society and to reduce the risk of natural disasters while taking into account people with disabilities.
Humanity & Inclusion’s work in the country began when the Korean Federation for the Protection of the requested help in developing its operations. The goal was to improve the aid provided to people with disabilities in a country that has long been isolated. Today, the organization continues to support this federation in its efforts to provide quality services to people living with disabilities and build an effective network, campaigning for the recognition of disability rights. In 2003, Humanity & Inclusion supported the adoption of the Law on Protection of People.
Furthermore, in order to enhance children’s access to education, Humanity & Inclusion helps improve the living conditions of children with visual disabilities in Humhung Blind School.
In order to improve rehabilitation services, it also offers direct support to a number of orthopedic fitting centers, hospitals and clinics. The aid provided varies according to the need: it may involve renovating premises, training physical therapists and orthopedic technicians or supplying equipment and consumables. In addition, the organization of mobile camps has made it possible to extend provision of rehabilitation services to remote regions. Lastly, Humanity & Inclusion aims to ensure people with disabilities are taken into account in natural disaster risk reduction activities, particularly by providing training and raising the awareness of the relevant authorities (SCEDM – State commission on the management of emergencies and disasters). The organization has also implemented a project in a school to make students aware of the risk from natural disasters. Disaster risk education activities are implemented in five communities and three schools in the provinces of North Hwanghae and South Hamgyong.
