Representatives of NGOs rehabilitation sector and Ministry of Public Works and Housing as well as experts from the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs, called in a workshop to develop clear mechanisms that ensure the rehabilitation sector participation in the construction of Gaza Strip.
During a workshop organized by the rehabilitation sector in the Palestinian NGO's Network (PNGO) under the title "Ensuring Participation of the Rehabilitation Sector in Gaza Strip construction Process", within the project of proactive engagement of civil society in Gaza construction process, conducted in cooperation with the Civil society program - GIZ and PNGO.
The workshop participants called to speed up the reconstruction of the offensive-devastated houses of persons with disability.
They stressed the need to develop plans and policies to repair and suit the public places and vocational training centers for PWD which were affected and devastated during the Israeli occupation's summer offensive 2014 and the previous two offensives.
During the Israeli occupation's offensive around 10 rehabilitation organizations were destroyed both partially and completely, and around 1.680 persons with disability lost their medical instruments and devices during the summer 2014 offensive.
A study conducted by the Rehabilitation Sector of the Palestinian NGO's Network, reveals that the Israeli occupation's offensive of summer 2014 in the besieged Gaza Strip destroyed around 351 houses of which 58 completely destroyed and 293 partially destroyed houses in addition to 10 workplaces for persons with disabilities also were destroyed.
Abdulrahman Almuzaanan, director of Baituna Association, reviewed a special fact sheet prepared by the rehabilitation sector of the Palestinian NGO's Network on the repercussions of the Israeli occupation's offensive of summer 2014 and the delayed reconstruction process on the rehabilitation sector.
He stated that during the offensive, 2.204 of persons with disability fled their homes to 45 evacuation centers almost UNRWA schools for safety whereas these centers and schools lacked for most basic elements of security, health and adequate housing for persons with disabilities.
Almuzaanan called to support and improve the national plan for natural disasters to include the evacuation of persons with disabilities from their dwellings when disasters happen.
He stressed the need to rebuilt and renovate the associations of persons with disabilities that were affected or destroyed during the offensive to fit the need of persons with disability.
Almuzaanan noted that the process of rebuilding and renovation should be done by consulting the persons with disability and their caregivers.
Naim Kabaja, rehabilitation sector coordinator, called to involve experts in the rehabilitation and representatives of persons with disabilities in the committees for the reconstruction of Gaza, to ensure the proper implementation of suiting the building with the need of persons with disabilities on the basis of high-quality professional standards.
Kabaja presented a study conducted by the rehabilitation sector of PNGO where he revealed facts concerned with the sector and the losses suffered by the sector as a result of the 2014's offensive on Gaza. He called to reconstruct the post-offensive affected and destroyed rehabilitation associations.
According to the study, 42 persons with disability were martyred; among them 25 physically disabled, 6 mentally disabled, 3 hearing impaired, 4 persons suffering multiple disabilities, and 4 visually impaired. The study also reveals that 1.134 persons who had no disabilities became disabled after the summer offensive of 2014 on the Gaza Strip.
Hani AlGhreyz, from Ministry of Public Works, stressed need to consider the needs of persons with disabilities in the process of Gaza reconstruction as a priority. He stressed the need to fit the schools and shelters with the needs of persons with disability to be fully prepared for any future emergencies.
AlGhreyz called to speed up the reconstruction and equipping the offensive-devastated rehabilitation associations and compensate for the damages caused for the equipments and buildings of the associations.
At the end of the workshop, the participants emphasized the need to develop a clear strategic plan that considers the needs of persons with disabilities in the reconstruction process.
The participants called upon the ministries and the relevant bodies to form a competent committee to activate the Palestinian Disability Law.
They stressed the need to immediately end the Palestinian internal division which affects all the aspects of Palestinian people life particularly the life of persons with disability.
