Casualties

Casualties in 2009

In 2009, two casualties were reported in Nicaragua in two separate mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) incidents, both injuring adult men. The incident with an antipersonnel mine occurred in Jinotega and involved a soldier.[1] The two casualties identified in 2009 marked a slight decrease from the three reported in 2008 and were in line with the recent trend of declining annual casualty rates as a result of the reduction in mine-affected areas and an intensified risk education campaign to respond to ERW casualties.[2]

As of June 2010, 1,278 mine/ERW casualties (92 people killed and 1,186 injured) were recorded in Nicaragua, including 42 deminers (five killed and 37 injured).[3]

Victim Assistance

There were at least 1,181 mine/ERW survivors in Nicaragua as of June 2010.[4]

In 2009, no needs assessment specifically for mine/ERW survivors was undertaken, but a national survey and needs assessment of persons with disabilities was started in October 2009. As of May 2010, surveyors had interviewed 74,220 persons with disabilities and provided medical attention as needed.[5] Results of the survey were to be used to develop a disability plan.[6]

Victim assistance coordination in 2009[7]

In 2009, no meetings of the Sub-Commission for Medical Assistance and Rehabilitation of Mine Survivors were held.[8] The Ministry of Health was largely inactive as the focal point on victim assistance due to a vacancy in the staff position responsible for victim assistance for part of the year.[9] The National Plan on Physical Rehabilitation, which was initiated in early 2009, had not been finalized by the end of the year due to a lack of funds.[10] One meeting of government ministries and national disability organizations was convened to develop plans for a National Council on Disability, as required by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However as of the end of 2009, the Council had not been established.[11]

Nicaragua provided updates on progress and challenges for victim assistance in 2009 at the Second Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty in November–December 2009 and at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration in June 2010.[12]

There were no reported efforts to include survivors in planning or coordination. Survivors implemented victim assistance services through NGOs.[13]

Service accessibility and effectiveness

Victim assistance activities in 2009[14]

Increased government funding to the Ministry of Health expanded the availability of some services for survivors, most especially medical and physical rehabilitation services.[15] No significant changes were reported in the quality of victim assistance services.

The location of the new orthopedic center in Estelí was chosen because of its proximity to large numbers of mine/ERW survivors based in northern Nicaragua. After opening in November, the center produced six prosthetic limbs before the end of the year. The ICRC SFD carried out a field visit to the Autonomous Region of the North Atlantic to determine the feasibility of establishing a fifth orthopedic center.[16]

No changes were reported in the provision of economic inclusion programs or psychological assistance. Survivors continued to be supported by OAS PADCA to participate in vocational training at INATEC and to receive small business start-up grants after completing their training. By the end of 2009, there were still 75 survivors on the waiting list for this program.[17]

Discrimination against persons with disabilities was prohibited by law, but the law was not effectively enforced and discrimination was widespread. There were no laws requiring the accessibility of public buildings.[18]

Nicaragua ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 7 December 2007.