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Dept for International Development

Answer

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the numbers of amputees (a) in the amputees' central camp and (b) elsewhere in Sierra Leone. [117323] Hilary Benn: It is very difficult to give accurate figures for amputee numbers countrywide. Some organisations such as Handicap International have been assisting amputees and other war affected people in Sierra Leone for several years. They have found that the number of surviving amputees is much smaller than originally thought since many died as a result of their injuries. Also, some were in inaccessible areas and could not be assisted or even counted. Some of those from remote locations are however coming to Freetown for treatment but numbers are uncertain. Very vulnerable people may still be afraid to come forward despite encouragement to do so. In spite of this the estimate of amputee numbers has not changed since the former Secretary of State wrote to the hon. Member on 3 December 2001 at which time it was estimated at around 1,000. Two years ago there were 220 registered amputees in the Murray Town camp and an unknown number of war wounded in Grafton Camp on the Western Peninsular. Since then good progress has been made in re-housing many amputees and their families. We understand that so far 239 beneficiaries and their families have been re-settled in greater Freetown and across 17 Chiefdoms, in effect reintegrated into local communities. When the final 70 houses are finished this year and the amputees relocated, the Murray Town camp will be closed.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

117323; 406 c774-5W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Disability Armed conflict Casualties Location Sierra Leone Prosthetics Handicap International

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk