99–006

107TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 107–265

INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY AND VICTIMS OF LANDMINES,

CIVIL STRIFE AND WARFARE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2001

NOVEMBER 5, 2001.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State

of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. HYDE, from the Committee on International Relations,

submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany H.R. 3169]

The Committee on International Relations, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 3169) to authorize assistance for individuals

with disabilities in foreign countries, including victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare, and for other

purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon

with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do

pass.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

The Amendment ...................................................................................................... 2

Background and Purpose for the Legislation ........................................................ 4

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 7

Votes of the Committee ........................................................................................... 7

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 7

New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures ...................................................... 7

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 7

Performance Goals and Objectives ......................................................................... 7

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 7

Section-by-Section Analysis .................................................................................... 7

Agency Views ........................................................................................................... 10

New Advisory Committees ...................................................................................... 10

Congressional Accountability Act ........................................................................... 10

Federal Mandates .................................................................................................... 10

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 10

2

THE AMENDMENT

The amendment is as follows:

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘International Disability and Victims of Landmines, Civil Strife and Warfare Assistance Act of 2001’’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings:

(1) According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 7 percent

and 10 percent of the world’s population, or almost 500,000,000 people, live with

disabilities. About 80 percent of these individuals live in developing countries,

where only 1 percent to 2 percent have access to the necessary rehabilitation

services, and many face numerous physical and social barriers that inhibit their

full participation in their communities.

(2) Factors contributing to the number of individuals with disabilities include war and other forms of violence, inadequate medical care, and natural

and other disasters.

(3)(A) According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, there are

tens of millions of landmines in over 60 countries around the world, and it has

estimated that as many as 24,000 people are maimed or killed each year by

landmines, mostly civilians, resulting in amputations and disabilities of various

kinds.

(B) While the United States Government invests more than $100,000,000

in mine action programs annually, including funding for mine awareness and

demining training programs, only about ten percent of these funds go to directly

aid landmine victims.

(C) The Patrick Leahy War Victims Fund, administered by the United

States Agency for International Development, has provided essential prosthetics

and rehabilitation for landmine and other war victims in developing countries

who are disabled and has provided long-term sustainable improvements in quality of life for victims of civil strife and warfare, addressing such issues as barrier-free accessibility, reduction of social stigmatization, and increasing economic opportunities.

(D) Enhanced coordination is needed among Federal agencies that carry out

assistance programs in foreign countries for victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare to make better use of interagency expertise and

resources.

(4) According to a review of Poverty and Disability commissioned by the

World Bank, ‘‘disabled people have lower education and income levels than the

rest of the population. They are more likely to have incomes below poverty level

than the non-disabled population, and they are less likely to have savings and

other assets . . . [t]he links between poverty and disability go two ways—not

only does disability add to the risk of poverty, but conditions of poverty add to

the risk of disability.’’.

(5) Numerous international human rights conventions and declarations recognize the need to protect the rights of individuals regardless of their status,

including those individuals with disabilities, through the principles of equality

and non-discrimination.

(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to authorize assistance for individuals

with disabilities, including victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and

warfare.

SEC. 3. INTERNATIONAL DISABILITIES AND WAR VICTIMS ASSISTANCE.

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 134 the following:

‘‘SEC. 135. INTERNATIONAL DISABILITIES AND WAR VICTIMS ASSISTANCE.

‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The President, acting through the Administrator of the

United States Agency for International Development, is authorized to furnish assistance to individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare, in

foreign countries.

‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—The programs established pursuant to subsection (a) may include activities such as the following:

‘‘(1) Development of local capacity to provide medical and rehabilitation

services for individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and

warfare, in foreign countries, such as—

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‘‘(A) support for and training of medical professionals, including surgeons, nurses, and physical therapists, to provide effective emergency and

other medical care and for the development of training manuals relating to

first aid and other medical treatment; ‘‘(B) support for sustainable prosthetic and orthotic services; and

‘‘(C) psychological and social rehabilitation of such individuals, together

with their families as appropriate, for the reintegration of such individuals

into local communities.

‘‘(2) Support for policy reform and advocacy efforts related to the needs and

abilities of individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare.‘‘(3) Coordination of programs established pursuant to subsection (a) with

existing programs for individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil

strife and warfare. ‘‘(4) Support for establishment of appropriate entities in foreign countries

to coordinate programs, projects, and activities related to assistance for individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare. ‘‘(5) Support for primary, secondary, and vocational education, public

awareness and training programs and other activities that help prevent warrelated injuries and assist individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil

strife and warfare, with their reintegration into society and their ability to

make sustained social and economic contributions to society.

‘‘(c) PRIORITY.—To the maximum extent feasible, assistance under this section

shall be provided through nongovernmental organizations, and, as appropriate,

through governments to establish appropriate norms, standards, and policies related

to rehabilitation and issues affecting individuals with disabilities, including victims

of civil strife and warfare. ‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appro- priated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2002 and

2003. Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under

the preceding sentence are authorized to be provided notwithstanding any other provision of law.’’.

SEC. 4. RESEARCH, PREVENTION, AND ASSISTANCE RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL DISABILITIES AND LANDMINE AND OTHER WAR VICTIMS.

(a) AUTHORIZATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting

through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is

authorized—

(A) to conduct programs in foreign countries related to individuals with

disabilities, including victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife

and warfare; and

(B) to provide grants to nongovernmental organizations for the purpose

of carrying out research, prevention, public awareness and assistance programs in foreign countries related to individuals with disabilities, including

victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare.

(2) APPROVAL OF SECRETARY OF STATE.—Activities under programs established pursuant to paragraph (1) may be carried out in foreign countries only

after consultation with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, and upon approval for such activities in such countries

by the Secretary of State.

(b) ACTIVITIES.—Programs established pursuant to subsection (a) may include

the following activities:

(1) Research on trauma, physical, psychological, and social rehabilitation,

and continuing medical care related to individuals with disabilities, including

victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare, including— (A) conducting research on psychological and social factors that lead to

successful recovery;

(B) developing, testing, and evaluating model interventions that reduce

post-traumatic stress and promote health and well-being;

(C) developing basic instruction tools for initial medical response to

traumatic injuries; and

(D) developing basic instruction manuals for patients and healthcare

providers, including for emergency and follow-up care, proper amputation

procedures, and reconstructive surgery.

(2) Facilitation of peer support networks for individuals with disabilities, including victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare, in foreign countries, including— (A) establishment of organizations at the local level, administered by

such individuals, to assess and address the physical, psychological, ecoVerDate 11-MAY-2000 19:01 Nov 05, 2001 Jkt 099006 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6621 E:\HR\OC\HR265.XXX pfrm04 PsN: HR265
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nomic and social rehabilitation and other needs of such individuals, together with their families as appropriate, for the purpose of economic and

social reintegration into local communities; and

(B) training related to the implementation of such peer support networks, including training of outreach workers to assist in the establishment

of organizations such as those described in subparagraph (A) and assistance

to facilitate the use of the networks by such individuals.

(3) Sharing of expertise from limb-loss and disability research centers in the

United States with similar centers and facilities in war-affected countries, including promoting increased health for individuals with limb loss and limb deficiency and epidemiological research on secondary medical conditions related to

limb loss and limb deficiency.

(4) Developing a database of best practices to address the needs of the warrelated disabled through comprehensive examination of support activities related to such disability and access to medical care and supplies.

(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out this section

such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004.

SEC. 5. EXPERTISE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is authorized— (1) to provide advice and expertise on prosthetics, orthotics, physical and

psychological rehabilitation and treatment, and disability assistance to other

Federal departments and agencies, including providing for temporary assignment on a non-reimbursable basis of appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs personnel, with respect to the implementation of programs to provide assistance to victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare in

foreign countries and landmine research and health-related programs, including

programs established pursuant to section 135 of the Foreign Assistance Act of

1961 (as added by section 3 of this Act) and programs established pursuant to

section 4 of this Act; and

(2) to provide technical assistance to private voluntary organizations on a

reimbursable basis with respect to the planning, development, operation, and

evaluation of such landmine assistance, research, and prevention programs.

SEC. 6. INTERAGENCY GROUP.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of State shall establish and chair an interagency group to ensure coordination of all Federal programs that furnish assistance

to victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare, and conduct

landmine research, demining and prevention programs.

(b) OTHER MEMBERS.—Members of the interagency group shall include, but not

be limited to, representatives from—

(1) the United States Agency for International Development;

(2) the Department of Health and Human Services;

(3) the Department of Education;

(4) the Department of Defense; and

(5) the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(c) PUBLIC MEETINGS.—At least once each calendar year, the interagency group

should hold a public meeting in order to afford an opportunity for any person to

present views regarding the activities of the United States Government with respect

to assistance to victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare

and related programs. The Secretary of State shall maintain a record of each meeting and shall make the record available to the public.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE FOR THE LEGISLATION

H.R. 3167, the International Disabilities and Victims of Landmines, Civil Strife and Warfare, addresses an issue which transcends politics: the suffering of individuals with disabilities and the

innocent victims of landmines, civil strife and warfare—men,

women and children who often lead shattered lives. The World

Health Organization estimates that between 7% and 10% of the

world’s population—nearly 500 million people—live with disabilities. Yet only 1% to 2% have any access to the necessary rehabilitation services. Most disabled people live in developing countries,

often in poverty. In certain developing countries nearly 20 per cent

of the general population is in some way disabled; if the impact on

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their families is taken into account, as much as 50 per cent of the

population is impacted by disabilities. The overwhelming majority

live in isolated rural areas. Almost that many live in areas where

the services needed to help them are unavailable. Too often their

lives are handicapped by physical and social barriers in societies

which hamper their full participation. Because of this, in many

parts of the world, the disabled live in isolation and insecurity.

The U.S. provides some assistance for rehabilitation and societal

reintegration of individuals suffering from disabilities and for landmine victims, but there is a tremendous potential for focusing additional U.S. effort and expertise from all relevant parts of the U.S.

Government on this massive problem. Beginning in fiscal year

2001, for example, the Department of Health and Human Services

established a pilot program housed in the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to provide assistance to landmine and other victims of

civil strife and warfare. However, establishing new programs in

this area is very difficult—individuals suffering from disabilities

and landmine victims in particular face a wide range of both physical and psychosocial trauma which is difficult to treat effectively.

The Committee believes that one of the primary benefits of this legislation is to ensure that the CDC and other agencies who may become involved in these efforts consult and coordinate with the

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

which has 12 years of experience working in this field.

LANDMINES

In particular, the Committee is concerned with injuries that result from landmines, other unexploded ordnance, and other wartime activities. Landmines alone are significant cause of injuries

and deaths. According to some reports, 1,200 people are maimed by

landmines each month, with nearly one-third estimated to be children. A child injured at the age of 10 may need more than 25 artificial limbs in his or her lifetime. The scope of this problem requires

a continued U.S. commitment to addressing these victims, not only

as a humanitarian matter but also as an important development

issue.

An often-difficult life in the developing world is instantly made

nearly impossible, for example, when a landmine indiscriminately

transforms a productive member of a village, an irreplaceable provider for a family, a child hoping for a better life, or a young

woman looking forward to marriage and children, into a disabled,

demoralized person who is often shunned as a liability by his or

her society. Persons with disabilities—either from birth, accidents,

civil strife or other means—are marginalized, often without any

hope of leading useful and productive lives. Victims assistance

means not only physical and psychological assistance to individuals

with international disabilities and their families, but also trying to

create new policy frameworks so that foreign societies can accommodate such victims more broadly and decrease the stigma often

attached to such conditions.

The worst landmine-affected countries include:

• Angola—An estimated 1 in every 415 Angolans has a landmine-related injury. There are an estimated 120 new landmine victims per month.

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• Afghanistan—There may be as many as 10 million landmines left in Afghanistan, laid by the Soviets during their

occupation and by all the warring parties since that conflict.

One adult male in 10 has been involved in a landmine incident.

• Cambodia—In 1998, it has been reported that there are

28,000 amputees, with 95% landmine victims. While the

overall number of civilian landmine casualties is dropping,

the percentage of incidents involving children is increasing,

from 16% in 1998 to 30% in the first 5 months of 2000.

• Vietnam—There are an estimated 180 landmine casualties

per month. 14% of landmine victims were not born when the

war ended Four to 7 percent of the population are reportedly

disabled; of this group a third have war-related injuries.

Landmines are particularly devastating to children. It has been

estimated that between 8,000–10,000 children, about a third of all

landmine casualties, are killed or maimed by landmines each year.

Because their bodies are smaller and closer to the ground children

are more likely to die from landmines, or to suffer more serious injury in a landmine blast. Physical rehabilitation programs and

services are critical to ensure the availability of devices that are

safe, durable and can be maintained and repaired locally. As an

amputee’s first artificial limb is transitional and may not fit properly or may need eventual repair and replacement, the availability

of long-term services must be ensured. In addition, attention must

be given to resources and training for treatment of landmine injuries other than limb loss, such as loss of eyesight, deafness and paralysis. To return to being fully participating members of society,

landmine survivors require ongoing and complementary types of

assistance, including: Emergency medical care; Amputation Surgery; Physical Rehabilitation and Assistive Devices; Social and economic reintegration into mainstream society; and Psychological

support and counseling.

EXISTING MINE ACTION PROGRAMS

The Committee in no way intends for funds for assistance programs for foreign persons with disabilities and victims of landmines and civil strife and warfare to come at the expense of U.S.

programs to remove existing mines in various foreign countries.

Extraction of leftover landmines and unexploded ordnance is a crucial aspect of victims assistance; through prophylaxis, lifelong injuries can be prevented. However, efforts at prevention is not enough.

Assistance to persons already injured by landmines and

unexploded ordnance is critical and cannot be disregarded to focus

solely on demining. Assistance programs for the disabled and victims of landmines and civil strife, and appropriations for these

same programs, must be increased, independently from continuing

U.S. demining programs.

Nor does the Committee intend or expect that any increase in appropriations and new assistance programs to come at the expense

of the Patrick Leahy War Victims Fund. Since 1989, this program

has been the primary means to provide U.S. rehabilitative assistance to victims of landmines, war and civil strife, and the Committee expects that funds appropriated for victims of civil strife and

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warfare, including landmine victims, would continue to be channeled through this program.

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On November 1, 2001, the Committee met in open session and

ordered favorably reported the bill H.R. 3169 with an amendment

by voice vote, a quorum being present.

VOTES OF THE COMMITTEE

There were no recorded votes on this bill.

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the

House of Representatives, the Committee reports that the findings

and recommendations of the Committee, based on oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, are incorporated in the descriptive portions of this report.

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY AND TAX EXPENDITURES

Clause 3(c)(2) of House Rule XIII is inapplicable because this legislation does not provide new budgetary authority or increased tax

expenditures.

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

In compliance with clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the

House of Representatives, the Committee believes that the bill will

have a $12 million cost for the current fiscal year 2002, and a $15

million cost in fiscal year 2003.

PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The performance and objectives of this bill are set forth in the

Government Performance and Results Act Plan submitted by the

Agency for International Development.

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House

of Representatives, the Committee finds the authority for this legislation in article I, section 8, clause 18 of the Constitution.

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

Section 1: Short Title.

Provides the title for the Act as the ‘‘International Disability and

Victims of Landmines, Civil Strife and Warfare Assistance Act of

2001.’’

Section 2: Findings and Purpose.

Provides various findings and outlines the purposes of the bill.

8

Section 3: International Disabilities and War Victims Assistance.

Section 3 amends the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) of 1961 to

provide permanent authority for international disability programs.

Section 135(a) authorizes the President, acting through the Administrator of USAID, to furnish assistance to individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare. For the purposes

of this new section, ‘‘victims of civil strife and warfare’’ includes

landmine victims, as well as victims of unexploded ordnance, individuals suffering from other war-related injuries, and persons who

might have suffered similar injuries during times of civil unrest.

Section 135(b) describes the kinds of activities that may be conducted under the authority of this new section. Such activities include building local capacity regarding medical training, prosthetic

and orthotic services, psychological and social rehabilitation and reintegration into society, and education and training related to public awareness and advocacy programs. The Committee believes that

education, public awareness and other programs that help prevent

war-related injuries is a very important area, because one of the

best ways to deal with landmine or other war-related injuries is to

prevent them in the first instance. Nothing in the Act is intended

to lessen the priority that USAID assigns to these activities or to

re-allocate funds from such activities and transfer them to physical,

psychological or other treatment programs.

Subsection (c) of the new section 135 provides that, to the maximum extent feasible, assistance should be provided through nongovernmental organizations and, as appropriate, through governments to establish appropriate norms, standards and policies related to rehabilitation and issues affecting individuals with disabilities. Currently, much of the assistance related to victims of civil

strife and warfare is provided through nongovernmental organizations, and the Committee believes that this practice and policy

should continue. However, there may be cases where assistance

should be provided through governments in order to establish appropriate norms, standards and policies in this area. In the final

analysis, after consultation with nongovernmental organizations,

governments must ultimately devise and implement such norms,

standards and policies. Accordingly funds should, in part, be provided through governments if such governments have demonstrated an interest in this field and USAID believes they can be

effective in this area.

Section 135(d) authorizes to be appropriated $15 million in each

of fiscal years 2002 and 2003 to carry out the activities discussed

in this section. This section also provides that amounts appropriated for development assistance and economic support funds

may be used to fund the activities described in this section. This

codifies current practice with respect to these activities.

The Committee commends USAID for its efforts to address landmine victim needs. Since the Leahy War Victims Fund was established in 1989, programs funded by USAID have helped thousands

of landmine victims with their vital needs. The Committee is particularly impressed with the programs that develop local expertise

and capacity in countries that have a large landmine problem and

victim population, such as Cambodia, where local citizens are

trained to build and fit prosthetics, orthotics and other devices. The

Committee encourages USAID and CDC to continue in this vein

9

where possible so that local populations, including the victims

themselves, can benefit from these programs economically and can

achieve self-sufficiency.

Section 4: Research, Prevention, and Assistance Related to International Disabilities and Landmine and Other War Victims.

Section 4 provides a new freestanding authority to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease

Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC) to conduct programs in foreign

countries related to individuals with disabilities, including victims

of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare. Subsection (a) provides the general authority for these programs, including providing nongovernmental organizations grants to carry

out this program. Subsection (a)(2) provides that activities under

programs established pursuant to this section may be carried out

in foreign countries only after consultation with the Administrator

of USAID and upon approval for such activities by the Secretary

of State. This provision is intended to ensure that the Secretary of

State is aware and approves of the CDC’s programs abroad and

that there is proper coordination between USAID and CDC to prevent unnecessary duplication. In addition the Committee believes

that both USAID and CDC can benefit from each other’s experience

in these fields by enhanced cooperation and coordination.

Subsection (b) describes the kinds of activities that may be conducted under the authority of this new section, including development of instructional tools for surgeons and for first aid response,

model interventions that reduce post-traumatic stress, and other

research on landmine- and civil-strife related research. It also provides for peer support networks assistance, sharing of expertise

from limb-loss and disability research centers in the United States,

and for the development of a global database on medical and rehabilitation resources on war-related injuries.

Section 5: Expertise of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Section 5 also authorizes the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to provide relevant advice and expertise to other government agencies on

a non-reimbursable cost basis and technical assistance to non-governmental organizations on a reimbursable cost basis. The Committee applauds the work of the Department of Veterans Affairs

(VA) for its support and assistance to thousands of American veterans who have been injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance. The VA has unparalleled experience in providing assistance

to landmine victims, and the Committee believes that other agencies that manage such programs can benefit from the VA’s expertise. It should be noted, however, that this bill does not in any way

intend, and should not be construed to require, the diversion of the

VA’s resources or detract from its primary mission of assisting

American veterans.

Section 6: Interagency Group.

Section 6 requires the establishment of an interagency mechanism to provide better coordination of programs of assistance to

disabled and victims of landmines, warfare, and civil strife. The

Committee believes that such a coordinating mechanism is essential. It is apparent that various agencies that conduct landmine asVerDate 11-MAY-2000 19:01 Nov 05, 2001 Jkt 099006 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR265.XXX pfrm04 PsN: HR265
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sistance programs are unaware of each others’ activities. Moreover,

agencies beyond USAID and CDC are involved in public awareness

programs and should meet to discuss and exchange views on their

various approaches and activities in the field.

The Committee wishes to be clear that an additional interagency

coordinating mechanism or group does not necessarily have to be

created to carry out this responsibility. The addition of the responsibilities envisioned by this Act to an existing interagency group,

if the Secretary of State so determines to be the most effective and

efficient way of implementing this provision, would in the judgment

of the Committee, satisfy the Act’s requirements so long as the

membership of the group includes all the agencies described in subsection (b).

AGENCY VIEWS

The State Department appreciates the increased flexibility provided by H.R. 3169 regarding appropriate forms of assistance to

victims of landmines in developing nations. The State Department

does not believe that the establishment of a new interagency group

to coordinate landmine victim assistance and landmine awareness

is necessary because an interagency group on Mine Action already

provides interagency coordination on these subjects. Nevertheless,

in general, the State Department has no objection to H.R. 3169.

NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEES

H.R.3169 does not establish or authorize any new advisory committees.

CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

H.R.3169 does not apply to the legislative branch.

FEDERAL MANDAGES

H.R.3169 provides no Federal mandates.

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill,

as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is printed in italics

and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in

roman):

SECTION 135 OF THE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961

SEC. 135. INTERNATIONAL DISABILITIES AND WAR VICTIMS ASSISTANCE.

(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The President, acting through the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development,

is authorized to furnish assistance to individuals with disabilities,

including victims of civil strife and warfare, in foreign countries.

(b) ACTIVITIES.—The programs established pursuant to subsection (a) may include activities such as the following:

11

(1) Development of local capacity to provide medical and

rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare, in foreign countries, such

as— (A) support for and training of medical professionals,

including surgeons, nurses, and physical therapists, to provide effective emergency and other medical care and for the

development of training manuals relating to first aid and

other medical treatment;

(B) support for sustainable prosthetic and orthotic services; and

(C) psychological and social rehabilitation of such individuals, together with their families as appropriate, for the

reintegration of such individuals into local communities.

(2) Support for policy reform and advocacy efforts related

to the needs and abilities of individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare.

(3) Coordination of programs established pursuant to subsection (a) with existing programs for individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare.

(4) Support for establishment of appropriate entities in foreign countries to coordinate programs, projects, and activities

related to assistance for individuals with disabilities, including

victims of civil strife and warfare.

(5) Support for primary, secondary, and vocational education, public awareness and training programs and other activities that help prevent war-related injuries and assist individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and

warfare, with their reintegration into society and their ability

to make sustained social and economic contributions to society.

(c) PRIORITY.—To the maximum extent feasible, assistance

under this section shall be provided through nongovernmental organizations, and, as appropriate, through governments to establish appropriate norms, standards, and policies related to rehabilitation

and issues affecting individuals with disabilities, including victims

of civil strife and warfare.

(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized

to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of

the fiscal years 2002 and 2003. Amounts appropriated pursuant to

the authorization of appropriations under the preceding sentence are

authorized to be provided notwithstanding any other provision of

law.

Æ