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Sudan: A Donkey and cart story

Countries
Sudan
Sources
UNMAO
Publication date
Origin
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Khalid was getting by as a cultivator until 1991, when he drove to visit his family in Kuhliat and his car hit an anti-tank mine. "I wasn't aware of the risk of mines in the region and there was certainly no mine risk education (MRE) being done at the time", says Khalid. "I have to care for 9 people, including my wife, our children and our relatives, but after the accident I was suddenly unable to continue to support them the way I used to."

That is until the National Authority for Prosthetics and Orthotics gave him a prosthetic limb at the rehabilitation centre in Kadugli. Then Khalid got in touch with the Nuba Mountains International Association for Development (NMIAD), a Sudanese NGO that provides socio-economic rehabilitation to persons with disabilities, including survivors of mines/UXO. He received an insurance card and a donkey cart, which brings him about six dollars per day in return for carrying water to the market. "People know me well now, and they trust me, so I've got regular clients". Khalid also has a small repair business where he fixes cars and bicycles, which he is planning to extend in order to generate more income. Khalid thinks it is important that MRE projects continue in the area, and he's taught his children about the dangers of mines/UXO and how to recognize the signs in the area. He himself received MRE from Sudan Campaign to Ban Landmines a few years ago. "We need more projects like NMIAD's to help people with disabilities in the region, since the problems of landmines has affected so many of us."