F.P Report
PESHAWAR: The International Day for Persons with Disabilities the theme of ‘Transformation towards Sustainable and Resilient Society for All, was observed at the Nishter Hall, Peshawar on Tuesday with great zeal and enthusiasm.
The event was organized by Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa in collaboration with Handicap International. Secretary Relief, Rehabilitation & Settlement department Zahir Shah, students of various colleges and varsities, special persons, officials of various government departments and others were also in attendance on the occasion.
Speaking as a chief guest, Secretary Relief, Rehabilitation & Settlement department Zahir Shah said that as government representative, he strongly believes that persons with disabilities must be recognized as equal partners, and be consulted by state actors, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders in all developmental and non-developmental work.
“The effects of climate change, including natural disasters, food insecurity, conflict, and refugee situations, make persons with disabilities disproportionately affected, he said and adding during such emergency situations, persons with disabilities experience increased challenges with separation from family, loss of assistive and mobility devices, and barriers to accessing information.
However, he informed that rate of disability increases during an emergency due to direct trauma, illness from poor living conditions. He said that the government and non-governmental actors working around disability need to closely coordinate and collaborate to reach the shared objectives.
He said that bringing persons with disabilities explicitly into mainstream development discourse will not only benefit us but it will enable the Pakistan to realize that there is immense untapped potential to transform the country into a better place for all people.
Director General PDMA, Muhammad Khalid said that it was the responsibility of every member of the society to respect to the disabled. “They are like normal human beings; the difference lies only in the fact that they require special care and affection in order to bring smiles on their faces,” he added.
He further said that PDMA recognizes these needs and is committed to include persons with disabilities in its work and response. It works in collaboration with the organizations that are working for this vulnerable group and is always ready to support them in every regard. He added, Hence it has organized an event on 12thof December to celebrate National Disability Day to sensitize the government officials and masses in general with the issues of disability.
According to UNCRPD 15% of the world’s population is living with some kind of disability and it is estimated that there will be at least 200 million people displaced by climatic events by 2050, of which at least 30 million are likely to be people with disabilities. Yet it is widely acknowledged that the humanitarian system still suffers from a blind spot on question of disability. This vulnerable group is often ignored during humanitarian response because of their invisibility as persons with disabilities remain indoors and cannot access the help accessible to other people.
Furthermore, they experience increased problems due to separation from family, loss of assistive and mobility devices, and difficulties with accessing information. The exclusion of people with disabilities from emergency response and humanitarian aid increases casualty rates, psychosocial impact, and health issues.
The humanitarian principle of impartiality, meaning to provide assistance on the basis of need and without discrimination, requires the organizations to reduce barriers so that older people and people with disabilities can access relief on an equal basis with others.
Skits and speeches by Special Boys were highly appreciated by audience Mr.Ilyas Syed CEO Paraplegics, Mrs. Sara, Mr. Babar Shahzad also addressed the audience.
