Mobility is a Human Right and a Humanitarian Duty
In conflict zones, the world often focuses on addressing immediate humanitarian needs like water, food, and shelter. However, there should be a more nuanced perspective on the thousands of individuals with disabilities living under such conditions. Whether living with disabilities unrelated to war or a catastrophe, or disabilities that occurred as a result of war – the right to mobility should be discussed as a priority. Amputees, for example, especially those living in environments with prolonged instability and conflict, rarely have the luxury of access to prosthetic devices, the required care from losing a limb, or maintenance and physical rehabilitation. Such necessities should not be considered a luxury, but rather a human right that must be upheld by humanitarian organizations.
The Critical Need for Mobility in Conflict Zones
Mobility is central to human dignity and autonomy; lacking freedom of movement affects access to education, employment, can lead to social isolation, and the basic ability to live independently. Mobility is especially vital in conflict zones; sudden forced displacement, seeking shelter, and being able to acquire food from dangerous zones, like in the Gaza Strip, amplifies the importance of mobility.
Consequently, in conflict zones, access to proper treatment, medication, and rehabilitation services following the loss of a limb is greatly scarce. In an environment where even basic necessities are rarely met, supply chains for prosthetic parts are significantly limited, and dangerous environments add another layer of security risks, further preventing proper follow-up care for amputees. In such cases, humanitarian organizations are essential in providing timely and proper intervention measures to decrease the level of marginalization and isolation.
Mobility Is Both a Physical and Mental Right
When someone loses a limb due to conflict-related injuries, accidents, or lack of medical care, the consequences extend beyond the initial trauma. Such incidents not only cause a physical strain on an individual, but a mental burden as well; it impacts their selfperception, how they are viewed by their communities, and their quality of life in the long run. When recognizing mobility as a human right, it must be recognized that amputees must not be left behind in humanitarian responses. Assistive devices like prosthetics are essential to help restore agency and equality, enhancing an individual’s standard of living.
Despite this, people with disabilities remain one of the most underserved groups in emergency and conflict zones. International humanitarian law stresses the protection of civilians, and a United Nations initiative, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), particularly Article 11, requires states to ensure the safety and inclusion of persons with disabilities during humanitarian emergencies and situations of armed conflict.
Responsibility of Humanitarian Organizations
In cases of major humanitarian crises, where poverty, displacement, and limited infrastructure are widespread, getting the required and comprehensive treatment and follow-up plans is difficult. Amputees face many challenges: it is unsafe to travel to medical facilities in dangerous zones, in many cases, hospitals are overwhelmed by numerous emergency cases, acquiring a prosthetic is unfeasible, and maintaining one is unaffordable.
Humanitarian organizations have a responsibility to ensure that people with disabilities, including amputees, are fully included in response plans. Such responsibilities are a basis in global frameworks like the CRPD and the Sphere Standards, specifically in the Minimum Standards for Age and Disability Inclusion in Humanitarian Action. Notably, Key Inclusion Standard 4 emphasizes that people with disabilities have equal access to appropriate services, including rehabilitation, while Key Inclusion Standard 5 highlights their meaningful participation in humanitarian decision-making and accountability mechanisms.
But beyond these guidelines, humanitarian organizations must implement these frameworks on the ground. Such as building services accessible to amputees by keeping in mind the situation they are in, integrating disability data into their assessments, and prioritizing assistive technology as an essential part of humanitarian aid.
Sustainable Solutions to Maintain Prosthetics
Access to prosthetics is one of the most significant and transformative forms of assistance to regain mobility. It not only restores physical function but also confidence, social inclusion, and hope. It is a tool that could help amputees gradually return to their communities as they once were.
However, because prosthetics are not one-time devices but require proper adjustment and frequent maintenance, humanitarian organizations must implement long-term programming for these cases. Sustainable solutions must be executed; local prosthetists should be trained, which boosts local employment, mobile units could be established to facilitate amputees in their respective areas, and supply chains of required materials should be ensured.
A Holistic Approach to Mobility
Another key component that should be emphasized is psychosocial support, as mobility not only affects an individual’s physicality but also influences their mental well-being. Because many amputees experience grief, fear, or uncertainty about the future; providing emotional support through holistic rehabilitation helps them adapt to their new reality, strengthening their adjustment. Rights-based humanitarian organizations must therefore approach mobility holistically, combining physical rehabilitation with mental health care and social inclusion.
As conflicts continue to rise around the world, the number of people needing prosthetic and mobility support will only rise. Thus, recognizing mobility as a human right reshapes the way humanitarianism itself is understood; it shifts the focus from short-term survival to long-term recovery. Serving as a reminder that supporting amputees and others with disabilities strengthens entire communities into being more inclusive, resilient, and capable of rebuilding after a crisis has passed.