Abdul Majid, 7, and his mother Hussan Jan. Abdul is one of the 512 quake-disabled children identified through children’s councils, organized as part of the World Vision’s Children in Crisis programme. During the October 2005 quake Abdul’s left leg was broken in five places. Through surgery and brief physiotherapy he can walk again, leaning on his cane.

On International Day for Disabled Persons, World Vision celebrates children living with special needs and disabilities. According to Unicef, there are at least 317,000 children with disabilities in this region that live in residential institutions. Let us remember that children are not only born with disabilities, but many have to live with the physical, as well as emotional legacy of conflict and natural disaster in this volatile region. Photography by World Vision National Office Communications Staff.