In 2025, conflicts across Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and beyond created disability at a scale unseen in decades. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project recorded over 240,000 conflict-related deaths from December 2024 to November 2025. In Gaza alone, 4,800 documented limb amputations occurred since October 2023, with ten children losing one or both legs every day. More than 21,000 Palestinian children acquired disabilities during the conflict. In Ukraine, over 2,10

The devastating conflict in Gaza has created an unprecedented crisis in paediatric amputee care, with thousands of children requiring immediate and long-term support. Whilst the situation is heart-breaking, Jordan's innovative response to this humanitarian emergency could revolutionise how we care for child amputees globally, particularly in resource-limited settings.   The Traditional Challenge of Paediatric Amputee Care For decades, prosthetic care has primarily focused on

Introduction: Bridging Gaps in Prosthetic Care Access to prosthetic care is often limited for uninsured or underinsured individuals, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions. Limbs for Life, a non-profit organization based in the United States, has adopted an innovative and sustainable approach to meet this challenge. By integrating principles of the circular economy—recycling and repurposing prosthetic components—the organization provides affordable solutions to th

Introduction Prosthetic care has traditionally been viewed as a healthcare cost, often neglecting the significant social and economic...

In September 2024, we delivered a paper “A Public Health Approach to Mental Health in War – Supporting Grassroots Initiatives, the...

A Supporting Wounded Veterans case study

The importance of an evidence-based approach Improved patient outcomes are a cornerstone benefit of evidence-based, data-driven...

The importance of a multidisciplinary team in the rehabilitation of new amputees was highlighted in Geoff’s blog: Rehabilitation Starts at Time Zero . MASU, a mobile unit which will be deployed into Gaza within moments of a ceasefire, aims to deliver upper and lower limb prostheses with a team of Jordanian clinicians trained in fitting and rehabilitation. MASU will be delivering Upper Limb Prostheses from Koalaa Soft Prosthetics, which can be fitted in as little as 15 minutes

Innovations in soft prosthetics are revolutionizing patient care by improving accessibility and outcomes for individuals with limb...

How will the care needs of amputees be met differently in future? This was a question posed by Prosthetics visionaries Alan and...

This is a story not just about the crucial role that Mobile clinics are playing in the liberated areas in Ukraine, but also the story of...

A public health approach to mental health during war is crucial as it addresses the widespread psychological impact across various societal groups, from victims of torture to veterans; and grieving families including children and widows. By integrating mental health care into broader systems and emphasizing community-based support, this strategy ensures accessibility and destigmatizes seeking help. Policies developed under this framework can significantly aid immediate relief

The war in Ukraine has cast a long shadow over the lives of its people. The constant threat of violence, displacement, and loss has taken a heavy toll on mental health, leaving many struggling with the invisible wounds of trauma. In the face of this immense suffering, peer-to-peer support groups have emerged as a beacon of hope, offering a vital space for Ukrainians to connect, share their experiences, and find solace in collective healing. One such initiative is Moe Kolo, a

This blog explores the therapeutic potential of storytelling and drama in trauma recovery. The article begins by outlining the benefits of these methods, such as emotional expression, narrative reconstruction, and community cohesion. It then delves into a range of case studies from around the world that take different approaches: Blesma's Generation R program in Britain helps veterans share experiences with youth; 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F' offers a raw portrayal of soldie

War wreaks havoc on societies, leaving individuals and communities struggling to come to terms with the brutalisation of their worlds. Often manifesting as post-traumatic stress, it can leave people in shock, or be triggered long after the event. In Ukraine, the need for psycho-social support far exceeds the availability of trained professionals, leading to research into ways of responding to the trauma in a way that can be scaled, across groups, communities and the country a

Amputees often face a long and unpredictable journey from stabilisation to rehabilitation. This is never more so than at the start of the...

The road to recovery and rehabilitation for amputees is filled with physical and emotional challenges. Losing a limb is a profoundly traumatic experience, which is why resilience and peer-to-peer support play vital roles in their journey towards healing. In this blog post, we interview Mike Wildeman and delve into the significance of resilience, explore the power of peer-to-peer and social support, and discuss how these elements can help those wounded in the war in Ukraine le

Supporting disabled veterans in post-conflict countries is essential not only for their individual well-being but also for fostering...

The war in Ukraine has created an urgent need to find better ways to manage mass casualties, using the knowledge gained from conflict around the world. There is a need for reimagined pathways that create a more streamlined rehabilitation journey and results in better outcomes for the injured in a more cost-effective, resource and time-efficient way. At a time when Ukraine is stretched beyond limits and is dependent on external generosity, ways of enhancing the journey need to

Veterans recovering from severe physical trauma and amputation often are faced with a sense of guilt that they cannot return to their comrades in their units and are faced with uncertainty about their livelihoods and ability to support their families. Veterans who may have been previously completely missioned focused and then find themselves abruptly removed from the conflict and separated from the shared goal, their unit members and friends are often left completely isolated