COPE supports the development of prosthetic, orthotic and rehabilitation services in Laos. COPE are the only provider of these devices in the country. COPE was established by POWER International in 1997, bringing together relevant organisations working in the field of disability in Laos. So, COPE is a joint venture between the Ministry of Health and a number of NGOs (Non-government organisations). In the future the plan is for COPE to become a Lao organisation in its own right. All of COPE's administration is done from Vientiane.
Why is COPE in Laos?
Laos is still one of the World's poorest countries with a large group of people living at a subsistence level. The conflict in Vietnam spilled over into Laos in a secret war, leaving it the most heavily bombed country per capita in the world. Many of these bombs and other devices did not explode at the time. So, even though the war ended in 1975, the country is still littered with a significant amount of UXO (Unexploded ordnance) which also contributes to poverty, hunger and disability on a daily basis. It is difficult to say with certainty how many people in Laos are affected by disability from this and for other reasons in some way. Remote villages, poor infrastructure and inaccessibility contribute to people with disability being a disadvantaged group within an extremely poor society.
Hence the need to provide:
Prosthetics and mobility devices for those people who require them, free of charge if they cannot afford to pay for them.
Information to people about services available
Training and support to local staff to provide a high quality service
Assistance in developing longer term strategies for sustainability so that the service will always be here!
COPE is an organisation developed in Laos working with Lao staff for Lao people with disabilities.
