自上周三（2010年4月14日）中国玉树地区发生强烈地震后，国际助残采取紧急行动，派一辆车运送包括拐杖、石膏绷带、敷布、颈托等在内的紧急救援物资和2名国际助残工作者（1名理疗师及1名后勤支援专家）从成都赶往灾区，评估灾情，了解受伤最严重人员的情况。这些伤员大部分为复合性骨折，已转移至青海首府西宁的各医院。同时，估计将有1000多名灾民需要长期的康复治疗，国际助残计划为西宁的两所医院的伤员提供2个月的积极康复治疗、训练以及相关的康复设备。
同时，另外一些受伤最严重的伤员被转移到了四川、甘肃、西藏等邻近省份和地区的当地医院，他们将在病情稳定后被送回玉树。国际助残组织也将为他们重返家园后提供充分的后续康复治疗，包括训练医生、护士和乡镇医生。此次地震导致约12000人受害，留在玉树的灾民伤势较轻。
由于中国政府已经在灾区展开了有效自救措施，国际助残的救援将不包括帐篷、食物、水、公共卫生和基础设施等内容。国际助残将根据参与海地地震和2008年四川地震救援的经验，为接受紧急医疗干预后的地震致残者提供物理康复治疗。手术后及时接受适当的康复治疗可以最大限度地减少并发症和永久性残障的后患。目前玉树地区尚无康复专家，医院也只有基础的康复治疗。
同时，国际助残将通过它在西藏和四川的现有项目向玉树地区提供必要援助。国际助残于1997年在中国建点，最初在距震中149英里（240公里）远的西藏昌都地区开展工作。其职能主要包括康复、妇女卫生、照顾残障儿童、支持残障人组织等。国际助残也投入和参与了2008年四川地震的救援。
After a violent earthquake struck China’s Yushu district on Wednesday, Handicap International took immediate action by sending a vehicle from Chengdu to the site of the earthquake with emergency material (crutches, bandages, compresses and neck support), as well as two members of the Handicap International team. Together, these staff members – a physical therapist and a logistics specialist – assessed the situation and learned the most seriously injured people, many of whom suffered complex fractures, were transferred to hospitals in Xining, the capital of Qinghai province.
Handicap International, which estimates that more than 1,000 victims will need long-term rehabilitation, will help by providing active rehabilitation treatment, training and equipment to two main hospitals in Xining, for two months.
Some of the most serious casualties were also transferred to provincial hospitals in the neighboring provinces and regions of Sichuan, Gansu and Tibet, where they will remain for a month before being transferred back to Yushu. The organization will also ensure that adequate follow-up care is provided to victims of the earthquake when they return to their homes. This will include training doctors, nurses and township and village doctors. An estimated 12,000 total casualties resulted from the earthquake. The victims who remained in Yushu were less seriously injured.
Handicap International’s support will not be needed in terms of emergency relief items, such as tents, food and water, sanitation and basic infrastructure, since the Chinese government has already deployed financial and humanitarian resources in Yushu.
However, given Handicap International’s experience with the January 12 earthquake in Haiti and the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan, it is obvious that Handicap International’s support will be needed for physical rehabilitation following emergency medical intervention. Providing appropriate rehabilitation immediately after surgery minimizes complications and the chances of developing permanent disability are reduced. There are currently no rehabilitation experts in Yushu and only basic rehabilitation is provided in the Xining hospitals.
In the meantime, Handicap International will use its existing projects in Tibet and Sichuan to provide necessary support and referral. Handicap International works primarily in Chambo, Tibet, more than 149 miles (240 km) from the epicenter of the earthquake, and the organization has been present in China since 1997. It operates many projects in the field of rehabilitation, maternal health, care for orphans with disabilities and it supports associations of persons with disabilities. Handicap International also mobilized major efforts and resources when an earthquake struck the Sichuan region in 2008.
