Date : 06/2004

Country/Region : AFGHANISTAN; EGYPT

Title : Najmuddin's olympic run

Duration : 00:09:43

Director : SAUNDERSON, David John; AWAD, Abir

Cameraman : SAUNDERSON, David John

Editor : unknown

Keyword : DEMINING; TESTIMONY; PHYSICAL EXERCISE; DAILY LIFE; LIMB-FITTING WORKSHOP; PROSTHESIS; ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE; PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN; DISABLED PERSON; MINE VICTIM; TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES; TRAINING AND INFORMATION; MINE AWARENESS; LIMB-FITTING CENTRE

Confidentiality level : public

Publication restrictions : publication without restrictions

Copyright : ICRC

Production company : ICRC

ICRC producer :
none

Description : Afghanistan is one of the countries most contaminated with mines and explosive remnants of war worldwide. In 2003 alone, the International Committee of the Red Cross recorded about 60 accidents per month. Civilians account for over 90% of these casualties. In addition to the human toll, mines and explosive remnants of war affect the population socially and economically. The survivors of accidents often lose their livelihood and become permanently dependent on others. But some defy these statistics. With two prosthetic legs due to a landmine accident, Najmuddin is one of the inspiring torch-bearers in this year's Olympics. He lost both legs when he drove over an anti-tank mine at the age of 18. For a number of years he stayed at home, with no physical rehabilitation, no work and no hope. In 1988 he received two new prosthetics at the rehabilitation centre in Kabul and stayed on to train and work as a physiotherapist. Today Najmuddin is the director of the ICRC orthopedic centre in Kabul. This report tells his story in his own words and includes footage from Kabul and Cairo shot in early to mid June.

Original language : English

Other language : Musical

English title : Najmuddin's olympic run

Colour/B&W : colour

Original material/format : DVCam

Best material/format available : DVCam