While the overall health and economic situation of China’s most vulnerable populations has dramatically improved, civil and social rights protections remain a significant concern in the country.
According to the latest national disability survey, the mean annual income of people with disabilities in China is more than 50% below the national average. Only a third of people with disabilities requiring functional rehabilitation services have access to this care, and only a fifth of people who need mobility aids – prostheses, wheelchair, braces, etc. – have access to them. Schools and workplaces are also difficult to access for people with disabilities.
Though the country has modernised, its rapid development has been accompanied by the emergence of new disparities. One of the most worrying consequences is the growing inequality between the poor regions in China’s interior and the rich provinces to the east and south. Many people also live in poverty in the west of the country. People with disabilities in these regions are highly vulnerable.
Furthermore, China is prone to natural disasters and its provinces are frequently affected by major earthquakes and widespread flooding.
Number of HI staff members: 13
Date the programme opened: 2000
