Action points based on findings

• Develop central data collection mechanisms on casualties and the needs of victims to improve planning of victim assistance.
• Formally endorse and implement the victim assistance action plan, developed in collaboration with NGOs and mine survivors.
• Ensure that all victims are registered and therefore able to receive pensions and other benefits; approximately 42% of all victims were unregistered.

Victim assistance commitments

The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is responsible for a significant number of survivors of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) who are in need. Algeria has made commitments to provide victim assistance through the Mine Ban Treaty.

Algeria ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 4 December 2009.

Victim Assistance

Based on casualty data gathered by the Monitor, it is estimated that, as of 31 December 2016, there had been 3,775 injuredmine/ERW survivors in Algeria. In October 2009, it was reported that there were at least 3,551 mine survivors.[1] By March 2011, there were 2,325 registered mine survivors in Algeria.[2]

Victim assistance since 2015

A new Victim Assistance Action Plan was finalized in March 2014, following a survivor identification process conducted by Handicap International (HI).[3] Improvements in the accessibility of services and renewed interest from public authorities to make services more accessible to persons with disabilities were noticeable throughout 2015.[4] In particular, improvements were noticed in access to education and in the health sector, and in access to rehabilitation care and to benefits for mine/ERW survivors.[5] All registered victims, including survivors as well as the family members of those killed by mines, are entitled to benefits through the ministries of mujahidin, national solidarity, and health. These benefits include healthcare and pensions.[6] Civilian mine/ERW victims also have access to rehabilitation services provided at institutions dedicated to former combatants.[7]

Victim assistance in 2016

Assessing victim assistance needs

No needs assessment or survey for mine/ERW survivors has been reported since 2012.

A survey on disability was launched in 2014 by the National Study and Analysis Center (CENEAP). This survey aimed to build a long-term vision of the structures and training needed for improved assistance to persons with disabilities in Algeria.[8]

Victim assistance coordination[9]

The Interministerial Committee coordinates victim assistance in cooperation with the ministries of mujahidin, national solidarity, and of the interior.[10] No victim assistance coordination meetings were reported since 2014.

Algeria submitted its Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report for calendar year 2016, which includes information on victim assistance.[11]

Inclusion and participation in victim assistance

Survivors were involved in non-governmental coordination on victim assistance and activities including: data collection on new victims; orientation and referrals of victims and persons with disabilities towards available services; economic inclusion projects; and psychological support to survivors and their families.[12]

Service accessibility and effectiveness

Victim assistance activities in 2016

In 2016, mine/ERW survivors as well as other persons with disabilities continued to have access to most orthopaedic and assistive devices free-of-charge, while the National Employee Social Insurance Fund (Caisse Nationale des Assurances Sociales des Travailleurs Salariés, CNAS) covered 80% of the costs of smaller prosthetic devices and audio-equipment.[13] Prosthetics users are eligible for prosthetic renewal every three years.[14]

Algerian authorities have taken ongoing steps to reduce the administrative and bureaucratic barriers for persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW victims, to improve access to social services and financial support and, in particular, to transport and education by opening a specific desk for vulnerable persons at the offices of the Directorate of Social Action and Solidarity (Direction de l'action sociale et de solidarité, DASS) in all wilayas.[15]

HI implemented programs to facilitate inclusive public policy dialogue between the associations working in the disability field, civil society organizations, and public authorities.[16] HI also implemented a project on inclusive education in Setif and Tizi Ouzou to improve access to quality education for children with disabilities.[17]

Legislation prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, in education, in access to healthcare, and in the provision of other state services. However, the law was not effectively enforced in 2016 and there was widespread societal discrimination against persons with disabilities. Few government buildings were accessible to persons with disabilities.[18] Overall, infrastructures and transports were not accessible to persons with disabilities, which was an impediment to their socio-economic inclusion. Change is however occurring, thanks to the collaboration of public entities and associations. The “accessible city” initiative (commune accessible) launched in April 2017 in four pilot cities (Constantine, Oran, Algiers, and Ghardaïa).[19]

In April 2014, the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family, and the Status of Women established the National Council of Disabled Persons in response to a 2006 presidential decree. It serves as a consultative organ to study problems, such as accessibility for persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW survivors.[20] In 2016, the ministry provided some financial support to healthcare-oriented NGOs, but for many NGOs such financial support represented a small fraction of their budgets.[21]

In 2015, Algeria acceded to the Convention on Conventional Weapons.[22]