UNRWA celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities

 UNRWA celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities
On 4 December, the UNRWA disability programme in Gaza, a part of the UNRWA Relief and Social Services Programme (RSSP) in cooperation with the Coordination Committee of Rehabilitation Centres, organized a celebration to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Under this year’s global theme of “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want”, in reference to the Sustainable Development Goals, the celebration was held in the compound of Gaza Field Office.
Mr. Bo Schack, Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza, Mr. Nasser Al Khaldi, Deputy Chief of RSSP and other senior UNRWA staff were joined at the event by representatives and students from Community-Based Rehabilitation Centres (CBRCs).
The event included a variety of performances by persons with disabilities, such as Dabka dance, traditional songs and sign-language performances.
In his speech, Mr. Schack emphasised the strong partnership between UNRWA and the CBRCs. “We will continue to work together with CBRCs to provide quality services for Palestine refugees, including those with disabilities. We are not here to only celebrate with these children, but also to focus on their needs, innovation and creativity.”
The UNRWA disability programme has been operational for 27 years, partnering with seven local committees for rehabilitation in the Gaza Strip.
To date in 2016, UNRWA activities to support persons with disabilities and their families include providing them with assistance tools (wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, and crutches) and vocational training, supporting CBRCs and coordinating with specialized institutions.
About UNRWA:
UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA Programme Budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall. UNRWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency’s Programme Budget. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance.
Share on Google Plus

0 Comments:

Post a Comment