The Disability Care and Rehabilitation Fund and the Union of Disability Associations held a press conference in Sana’a on Tuesday under the slogan “Together to Enhance the Rights and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities,” as part of the celebrations of the National, Arab, and International Day for Persons with Disabilities observed annually in Yemen and around the world.
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Samir Baja’alah, discussed the challenges faced by persons with disabilities over the past 10 years due to Saudi-led aggression and blockade, highlighting the efforts of the government to overcome obstacles and support this group.
He revealed that the number of persons with disabilities in Yemen has risen to nearly 4.5 million, or 15% of the total population.
Baja’alah emphasized the need for collective efforts to ease their suffering and support government programs aimed at improving their situation.
He also stated that the government aims to ensure that persons with disabilities receive their share of all forms of aid, services, and international grants, in line with local and international laws and through the implementation of a resource mobilization project for disability services at the provincial level.
For his part, Abdullah Banyan, President of National Union of Yemeni Disabled Associations, spoke about the importance of the celebration in raising awareness of the suffering of persons with disabilities and reaffirming support for them.
He emphasized the need for better provision of services, economic empowerment, and their right to employment and social integration.
Meanwhile, Hasan Ismail, Director of the Noor Center for the Blind, highlighted the significant role played by Disabled Care and Rehabilitation Fund in providing services and programs for the care and rehabilitation of individuals and institutions for persons with disabilities.
A final statement was delivered by Mujib Qahtan, Media Coordinator at the Disability Fund, praised the government’s efforts, particularly in transforming funds allocated for events into economic empowerment programs for 500 persons with disabilities.
The statement also expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza and Lebanon, who are suffering daily from violence and starvation at the hands of the Israeli occupation, calling on the world to stand firm against the ongoing massacres.
