Role of National and International Aid Organisations in Disability Rehabilitation in Conflict Areas: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Disability can result directly from displacement or conflict caused by war-related injuries or trauma, or indirectly from deterioration of medical services. Rehabilitation services alleviate or mitigate limitations that impede functioning, participation and involvement in daily life for People with Disabilities (PwDs). In low-resource settings, where access to healthcare remains a significant challenge, rehabilitation services play a vital role in enhancing Quality of Life (QoL) for PwDs. Various Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and international organisations have set up schemes and introduced initiatives to broaden rehabilitation support for PwDs. Aim: To analyse the contribution of national and international aid organisations in disability rehabilitation in conflict areas. Materials and Methods: This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. A comprehensive search was performed in three databases from 2010 to February 2025 using the keywords and Boolean operators: ((Disability rehabilitation) AND (Conflict areas) AND (Non Governmental Organisations OR International aid organisations)). Studies were screened for eligibility based on inclusion criteria focusing on rehabilitation programs in conflict zones. Results: Based on the criteria, a total of 16 studies were included. The studies underscored the importance of integrated, contextspecific rehabilitation models that address both physical and psychosocial needs in PwDs in conflict-affected regions. While significant progress has been made in rehabilitation service provision, numerous challenges persist, including accessibility barriers, funding constraints and the need for standardised guidelines. Conclusion: The review emphasises the importance of integrated and context-specific rehabilitation models that address both physical and psychosocial needs in conflict-affected regions. Moreover, as numerous challenges persist, future research and policy efforts should focus on long-term sustainability, technological integration and inclusive rehabilitation frameworks to improve health outcomes and QoL for affected populations in conflict settings worldwide.