GENEVA – August 19, 2025 – On World Humanitarian Day, ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, and Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion (HI) are joining forces to launch a groundbreaking campaign film and urgent call to action. They are urging international donors and governments to significantly increase funding and integrate assistive technology (AT) into all phases of humanitarian preparedness, response, and recovery.
The new campaign film, launching across social media on 19 August, powerfully illustrates the life-saving potential of assistive technology in humanitarian settings, a critical yet often overlooked component of humanitarian assistance/action.
Key facts:
In 2025 alone, an estimated 300 million people will require humanitarian assistance (source: 2025 Global Humanitarian Overview).
Over 45 million of these individuals are in need of assistive technology.
Recent crises, such as the number of children who are losing limbs growing daily in places like Gaza and Ukraine, underscore the immediate and pressing need for assistive technology like prostheses, crutches and wheelchairs, which are often essential for survival, accessing assistance, and returning to daily life, including school.
Key messages from the campaign:
Assistive technology is critical for survival and functioning: For those impacted by crises, AT provides essential support for daily life and long-term well-being.
Responsible delivery of AT is paramount: Assistive products and related services must be provided effectively and appropriately as part of both immediate and ongoing humanitarian responses.
Emergencies highlight systemic gaps and opportunities: While many governments historically under-engage with the assistive technology sector, humanitarian emergencies expose critical needs and offer a vital opportunity to build sustainable, long-term AT ecosystems. Integrating long-term development into humanitarian responses can foster lasting impact and system-wide change.
About the campaign film:
The visually compelling film showcases individuals benefiting from various forms of assistive technology in humanitarian contexts. It highlights the escalating need for products such as wheelchairs, prostheses, hearing aids, glasses and digital devices, alongside their related services. The film emphasizes that assistive technology helps people to move, communicate, and see better, leading to healthier, more dignified, and independent lives. It also highlights that, although assistive technology can be just as critical as food and shelter in humanitarian responses, it is often overlooked - despite its life-saving potential.
One powerful moment in the film captures this urgency: "Imagine an injured child who has lost her leg and is forced to flee her home. Having access to crutches or a wheelchair can be crucial for survival, accessing assistance and to return to school."
Henri Bonnin, humanitarian expert at ATscale, underscores the human right to inclusion, independence, dignity, and protection for people affected by humanitarian emergencies. "In emergency settings, access to assistive technology can make the difference between life and death. After an earthquake, a typhoon, or during armed conflicts, assistive technology supports persons with injuries, disabilities, chronic conditions, and older people. It helps families and communities to cope with hardship situations, including in hospitals, refugee camps or emergency shelters. Assistive technology is therefore critical for an inclusive humanitarian response."
ATscale's commitment to increasing access to assistive technology
ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is dedicated to catalysing action and coordinating global stakeholders to increase the availability of and access to assistive technology. Recognizing significant gaps exposed by recent crises, ATscale is expanding its focus into the humanitarian space. The Partnership invests in preparedness programmes, response efforts, and recovery plans by partnering with and supporting organizations and governments to enhance readiness, address immediate needs, and develop sustainable solutions.
Recent impact:
Gaza (late 2024): With support from ATscale, the World Health Organization (WHO) and local health authorities procured and delivered over 1,000 essential assistive products to health facilities, assisting individuals affected by armed violence despite immense challenges.
Myanmar Earthquake (early 2025): ATscale partnered with UNICEF for a rapid response through pre-positioned assistive product kits by the "Consolidating Logistics for Assistive Technology Supply & Provision" (CLASP) platform. Managed by ATscale’s partner, Momentum-Wheels for Humanity, this approach ensured swift deployment in times of crisis.
Humanity and inclusion’s commitment to increasing access to assistive technology
Humanity & Inclusion (HI) has over 40 years of experience in providing emergency physical and functional rehabilitation in disasters and armed conflicts. HI promotes an integrated Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology model by reinforcing or setting up services and through advocacy.
HI ensures a continuum of care—from communities to specialized services—by working with local health partners and supplying assistive products, including initial stocks for hospitals. 2023: HI supported the first rehabilitation service in a burn unit in Lviv, Ukraine, including splint provision. 2025: HI established the Nahla P&O center, in Gaza, and trained local technicians in early prosthetic care.
HI strengthens preparedness through inclusive risk reduction, contingency planning, and stockpiling. 2024: HI trained physiotherapists and donated assistive products to hospitals in Lebanon.
HI maintains emergency stocks (wheelchairs, crutches, splints, etc.) to ensure rapid, independent response aligned with international standards. Local actors, including organizations of persons with disabilities, are trained to identify at-risk individuals and refer them to appropriate rehabilitation-AT services, ensuring inclusive, effective emergency response.
Call to action:
ATscale and HI call upon global leaders to urgently increase funding and integrate assistive technology into humanitarian preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Assistive technology saves lives.
About World Humanitarian Day (August 19):
World Humanitarian Day honours aid workers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty and celebrates all aid and health workers providing life-saving support and protection to those most in need.
Why assistive technology (AT) matters for humanitarian crises
In emergencies, individuals with functional difficulties—including persons with disabilities, those with chronic medical conditions, and older people—face magnified challenges. AT becomes a critical tool for overcoming barriers, enhancing inclusivity, and mitigating protection concerns. Conversely, the absence of AT can impede access to essential services, heighten risks, lead to complications and long-term impairment, and in some cases, result in death. The increasing number of people affected by crises globally underscores the growing demand for AT across all phases of emergency response, driven by injuries, disrupted medical care, and lost devices. Beyond physical function, lack of AT also impacts mental health, coping mechanisms, and social resilience.
International frameworks recognize the importance of AT in humanitarian settings, mandating its integration into emergency preparedness and response. Despite this, gaps persist, notably in the limited expertise among governmental and non-governmental humanitarian responders.
Read more in this short thematic brief