Alberto Cairo (physiotherapist)

This article is about Alberto Cairo the physiotherapist. For the information designer, see Alberto Cairo.
Alberto Cairo
Alberto Cairo in 2012
BornMay 17 1952
Ceva, Italy
OccupationPhysiotherapist
EmployerICRC
AwardsHenry Dunant Medal
Nansen Refugee Award

Alberto Cairo (born 1952, in Ceva, Italy) is an Italian physiotherapist and humanitarian known for his work treating Afghan amputees. He directs the seven centres for orthopedics run by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan.

Early life and education

Alberto Cairo was born in Ceva, Italy on May 17 1952.[1] He grew up in Turin, Italy.[2] Cairo first worked as a lawyer in Italy.[3][4][5]

Career

From 1987 to 1990, Cairo worked for an Italian NGO in Sudan.[3]

In 1990, Cairo joined the International Committee of the Red Cross and was assigned to Kabul, Afghanistan to develop their programs in physical rehabilitation.[6][7][8] Since then, Cairo has worked continuously for the Red Cross, and is now the director of its seven Afghan orthopedic centres.[9][10][11] As of 2017 he is credited with helping over 100,000 Afghan victims of landmines and accidents to walk again through the use of prosthetics.[12]

Awards

In 2010, Cairo was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.[3][13] In 2013, he received the Henry Dunant Medal, the highest award of the Red Cross Movement.[14] He was awarded Honorary citizenship of Afghanistan on July 21 2019.[15]

He won the Nansen Refugee Award in 2019.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Alberto Cairo – Biografia" (PDF). 23 January 2019.
  2. ^ Nordland, Rod (5 December 2014). "A Physical Therapist in Kabul, Providing More Than Exercise". The New York Times.
  3. ^ a b c Maley, Jacqueline (13 October 2016). "Alberto Cairo, the man who has helped 100,000 people walk again". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. ^ Duley, Giles (10 February 2013). "Giles Duley: 'I lost three limbs in Afghanistan, but had to go back … '" – via www.theguardian.com.
  5. ^ Rogerson, Barnaby; Baring, Rose (24 January 2019). Meetings with Remarkable Muslims: A Collection. Eland. ISBN 9780907871644 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Graham-Harrison, Emma (8 November 2014). "Why I'm staying in Afghanistan" – via www.theguardian.com.
  7. ^ Mashal, Mujib (23 January 2019). "Quiet "Hero" Marks 30 Years Restoring Limbs, and Dignity, in War". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "Afghanistan: Record number of disabled Afghans seek assistance in ICRC's 30th year". International Committee of the Red Cross. 23 January 2019.
  9. ^ Ferris-Rotman, Amie (12 April 2012). "Afghan amputees a grim signature of more powerful bombs". Reuters – via www.reuters.com.
  10. ^ AM, South Asia correspondent Sally Sara for (14 November 2009). "Doctor's mission to relieve amputees' anguish". ABC News. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - World at One, The Italian giving hope to disabled Afghans". BBC.
  12. ^ Gharib, Malaka (2 July 2017). "Hoop Dreams: Wheelchair Basketball Is Changing Lives In Afghanistan". NPR.org.
  13. ^ "Lâ angelo di Kabul candidato al Nobel: Ricostruisco gambe sotto le bombeâ". LaStampa.it. 29 May 2016.
  14. ^ "2013 Henry Dunant Medal Winners - The Standing Commission".
  15. ^ "Italian honored for decades of service in Afghanistan".
  16. ^ "Medic helps Afghans find mobility and new lives after losing limbs". UNHCR. Retrieved 2022-08-18.