Action points based on findings

·         Develop central data collection mechanisms on casualties and the needs of victims to improve planning of victim assistance.

·         Formally adopt the victim assistance action plan, developed in collaboration with NGOs and mine survivors.

·         Ensure that all victims are registered and therefore able to receive pensions and other benefits; an estimated third of all victims were unregistered.

Victim assistance commitments

The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is responsible for a significant number of survivors of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) who are in need. Algeria has made commitments to provide victim assistance through the Mine Ban Treaty.

Casualties Overview

In 2013, the Monitor identified 78 casualties from victim-activated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Algeria.[1] The large majority (59) were military and security forces while the rest (19) were civilians. There were no child casualties; this is a decrease compared to the seven in 2012. Nearly all casualties were male; but there was at least one female casualty.[2] It is likely that the total number of casualties was higher, since no annual casualty data has been provided by the Interministerial Committee on the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty (Interministerial Committee) since 2008. Casualty data was gathered from media reports.[3]

The total of 78 casualties identified in 2013 constitutes a significant increase compared to the number of casualties identified in previous years (51 in 2012; 35 in 2011; and 33 in 2010). However, the lack of a central data collection mechanism and annual casualty rate fluctuations in recent years make it difficult to identify trends.[4]

The total number of mine casualties in Algeria is unknown. As of March 2011, there were 2,325 mine survivors, as well as 439 widows and 739 descendants of victims killed in mine incidents registered with the Ministry of the Mujahidin.[5] In October 2009, it was reported in the media that there had been at least 6,762 mine casualties since 1962 (3,236 killed; 3,526 injured).[6] The total of 6,928 casualties reported by the Monitor represents this figure plus all casualties identified since October 2009. No information was available on casualties caused by ERW.

Victim Assistance

As of March 2011, there were 2,325 registered mine survivors in Algeria.[7] In October 2009, it was reported that there were at least 3,551 mine survivors in Algeria.[8]

Victim assistance in 2013

In 2013, national and local civil society organizations noticed improvements in the accessibility of services and renewed interest from public authorities to make services more accessible to persons with disabilities. In particular, improvements were noticed in the health sector and in access to rehabilitation care and to benefits for mine/ERW survivors.[9] All registered victims, including survivors as well as the family members of those killed by mines, are entitled to benefits through the ministries of mujahidin, national solidarity, and health. These benefits include healthcare and pensions.[10] In 2013, the amount of this pension increased.[11] However, the estimated number of victims remains significantly higher than the number of registered victims.[12]

Assessing victim assistance needs

In 2012, Handicap International (HI) finalized the survivor identification process which had begun in 2009.[13] HI, together with local NGOs, assessed the needs of survivors in six wilayas (provinces). The gathered data was shared during a national seminar in April 2013 with survivors, disabled persons’ associations (DPOs), and government authorities in order to assist in program planning, identifying priorities for mine action, and directing survivors more effectively to existing services. The data informed the development of a new victim assistance action plan and in the implementation of economic integration micro-projects for mine/ERW victims and persons with disabilities funded by the Ministry of National Solidarity and the UNDP.[14]

As of early 2014, a survey on disability to be conducted by the National Study and Analysis Center (CENEAP) was under development with the aim of building a long-term vision of the structures and training needed for improved assistance to persons with disabilities in Algeria.[15]

Victim assistance coordination[16]

The Interministerial Committee coordinates victim assistance in cooperation with the ministries of mujahidin and national solidarity.[17] In 2013, there were periodic victim assistance coordination meetings.[18] Between March 2013 and February 2014, these meetings, coordinated by the Interministerial Committee and the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family and the Status of Women, mostly focused on the development of a new victim assistance plan based on the needs assessment conducted by HI and partner NGOs. This plan was finalized in March 2014 and expected to be formerly adopted by the government in 2014.[19]

Algeria did not deliver a statement on victim assistance and socio-economic inclusion at the Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in December 2013. Algeria did not provide information on victim assistance activities in Form J of its 2013 Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report.[20]

Inclusion and participation in victim assistance

Throughout 2013, survivors were included in the development of the new victim assistance action plan. They have also been involved in non-governmental coordination on victim assistance; in data collection on new victims; in the design and implementation of awareness activities, inclusive education and economic inclusion projects; and in psychological support to survivors and their families.[21]

Service accessibility and effectiveness

Victim assistance activities in 2013[22]

In 2013, efforts by the Algerian authorities to improve access to health services began to have an impact on mine/ERW survivors.[23] On 3 December 2012, the National Employee Social Insurance Fund (Caisse Nationale des Assurances Sociales des Travailleurs Salariés, CNAS) and the National Office for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities signed an agreement to include coverage of all orthopedic equipment within CNAS.[24] In 2013, mine/ERW survivors as well as other persons with disabilities had access to most equipment (orthopedics, wheelchairs, etc.) free of charge while CNAS covered 80% of the costs of smaller prosthetics and audio-equipment.[25]

In 2013 Algerian authorities also took steps to reduce the administrative and bureaucratic barriers for persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW victims, by announcing the opening of a specific desk for vulnerable persons at the offices of the Directorate of Social Action and Solidarity (Direction de l'action sociale et de solidarité, DASS) in all wilayas. This is expected to improve access to social services and access to financial support, in particular, around transport and education.[26]

HI continued its programs for mine/ERW survivors and other persons with disabilities with a focus on psychosocial support, economic inclusion, inclusive education, and access to the labor market for youth and women with disabilities. HI continued to provide training and supervision for psychologists working with victims and their families. It also set up economic inclusion micro-projects adapted to mine/ERW victims and other persons with disabilities. The design of these micro-projects was informed by the needs assessment led by HI in collaboration with local NGOs and financed with the support of the Interministerial Committee and UNDP.[27]

The law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, in education, in access to healthcare, and in the provision of other state services. However, the government did not effectively enforce the law in 2013 and there was widespread social discrimination against persons with disabilities. Few government buildings were accessible to persons with disabilities.[28] Algeria ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 4 December 2009.