An Appeal from the Rehabilitation Sector – PNGO Network
About “The Deteriorating Situation of Persons with Disabilities,
and the Severe Shortage of Aids in the Gaza Strip”
His Excellency: Dr. Ibrahim Al Shaer
Minister of Social Development – Palestine
The Rehabilitation Sector of the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) extends the utmost respect and appreciation to your Excellency and we hope that you will follow up the appeal for the benefit of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in the Gaza Strip.
The number of people with disabilities in the Gaza Strip is 44,133.[1] Most of them suffer from difficult humanitarian conditions, as 29,000 of PwD and their families receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Social Development that does not guarantee a minimum living standard.
The situation of PwD is aggravated by the current situation in the Gaza Strip reflected in the Israeli occupation's continued blockade, the inability to travel outside the Gaza Strip, prolonged power cuts and the deterioration of the economic and social situation, in particular the high levels of poverty and unemployment to unprecedented levels, whereas 90.9% of PwD suffer from unemployment in the Gaza Strip[2] .
Gross negligence of PwD and their special needs as one of the most vulnerable groups affected by the current situation, has exacerbated their suffering in the light of the acute shortage of aids, medicines and medical supplies, also access to health care services has become more difficult.
Despite the fact that the Palestinian law regulated the various disability provisions, the situation of persons with disabilities has not been improved as required since the most of the law provisions of disabled persons’ rights have not been performed yet.
Article 5 and Article 10 of the Disability Law No. 4 for the year 1999 provide that disabled persons must receive the various rehabilitation based on the nature of their disability, as well as the provision of the necessary medical instruments and equipment to assist the disabled persons, issue the Disabled Card for disabled persons, guarantee the access to governmental health care, that is included in the health insurance, free of charge for the disabled persons and their families. The Cabinet Decision No. 40 of 2004 on the Executive Regulations for the law of disabled persons’ rights is also intended to guarantee the implementation of all the law articles.
That was followed by the signature of the state of Palestine represented by Mr. president Mahmoud Abbas on the International Convention on the Rights of PwD in 2014, as an international guarantor, to obligate State institutions to take all measures to ensure the implementation of all provisions of the Convention in order to promote the situation of persons with disabilities.
In the context of the reconciliation, persons with disabilities and their representatives at PNGO Rehabilitation Sector, are very pleased with the takeover of the National Reconciliation Government for the ministries in the Gaza Strip and they expect to activate and implement the Palestinian law and the signed international conventions on rights of PwD. It is also expected that the empowerment of the Ministry of Social Development to take over its functions in the Gaza Strip to be positively reflected on the situation of PwD.
Therefore, we express our gratitude for the efforts of Your Excellency to ensure the activation and implementation of the Palestinian Law and the International Convention on persons with disability, particularly to ensure the implementation of the following as urgent needs in the Gaza Strip:
- Ensure the provision of medical equipment, mobility and hearing aids, spare parts, and all aids for persons with disabilities to guarantee the safety of their lives.
- Put Pressure on different parties to allow the establishment of especial privilege for PwD at crossings to ensure their freedom of movement and travel abroad, so on guarantee their right to receive the necessary health treatment services.
- Put Pressure on different parties to provide electricity continuously to protect the lives of persons with disabilities.
- Adapting public places to suit the needs of PwD, and coordinate with the various ministries (Education, Transportation, and Local Government) to ensure the adaptation of educational institutions and ministries with the needs of PwD.
- Include persons with disabilities in the employment and temporary employment programs at a rate not less than 5%.
- Issue the Disabled Card.
- Exempt all persons with disabilities from health insurance fees.
- Increase the financial allocations in the budget of the Ministry of Social Development to assist PwD.
- Activate the Supreme Council of Persons with Disabilities.
Finally, we propose that a joint committee be formed between PNGO Rehabilitation Sector and the Ministry of Social Development to follow up the proposals contained in this appeal.
We hope that you will respond to this appeal to contribute to the progress of the community of persons with disabilities in Palestine.
Sincerely,
Rehabilitation Sector – PNGO Network
November 23, 2017
