Assistive technology in emergencies

WHO / Christopher Black
Dr Tedros visits Rzeszow, Poland - 5 May 2022

Assistive technology (AT) such as wheelchairs, artificial limbs, walking aids, and toilet chairs are essential health products and must be available alongside medicines and other medical supplies to ensure comprehensive health care for people injured and/or displaced as a result of conflict or natural disaster. IASC Guidelines recommend that AT is a core component of humanitarian response, as a lack of AT creates significant access barriers to other essential services.

The need for AT is known to increase during any humanitarian crisis, due to injury, people evacuating, and having to leave their assistive products behind. Displacement itself creating the need for assistive products for vulnerable people adjusting to new living environments.

To support people with AT needs during emergencies, WHO has prepared two lists of priority products:

AT6: Six mobility and self-care products for deployment with WHO Trauma Emergency Surgical kits to health facilities.
AT10: Ten mobility and self-care products to support internally displaced people and refugees. Quantities are estimated based on a population of 10,000 displaced people or refugees.

These lists were developed to support WHO's emergency response in Ukraine. They may be used as model lists for other emergencies and should be adapted to best support the local population need and context.

AT should always be provided within a service delivery framework, adapted to the context of the emergency. This is to ensure people receive the most appropriate product, can use it safely and effectively, and where possible, referrals are made for further care and future follow-up.

WHO is supporting the Ukraine government through procurement of AT6 and AT10 kits and providing remote training to staff in government-run health facilities to provide these much needed assistive products. Read more: WHO provides assistive products for thousands of displaced people in Ukraine