DUBAI, The United Arab Emirates participated in “Responding to the Needs of Persons with Disabilities in Crises & Epidemics” symposium held in Cairo at the Arab League, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity in the Republic of Egypt and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
Wafa Hamad Bin Sulaiman, Director of Welfare and Rehabilitation Department for People of Determination at The Ministry of Community Development, represented the UAE by delivering a presentation about the “Response Policy to the Empowerment of People of Determination in Emergencies, Crises & Disasters”, its implications on people of determination and their empowerment to adapt to the pandemic or similar circumstances, ensuring the provision of health, educational and employment services in the community through six main themes, readiness and flexibility; information and integrity; working staff; culture and awareness; cooperation and coordination; and the focus on the effects and consequences of the crisis.
Representatives of Arab countries participating in the seminar lauded the UAE’s experience in dealing with the crisis by considering the needs and privacy of people of determination through a range of initiatives with specific objectives included in the policy to ensure that people of determination continue to adapt in difficult circumstances.
During the seminar, Wafa Hamad bin Suleiman highlighted the most important accomplishments achieved by the UAE during the pandemic in dealing with people of determination and considering their health, educational and logistic needs, such as guidance, distance learning, health services at home, information access and working remotely as well as studies and research carried out to track the circumstances and needs of people of determination during the pandemic.
The seminar also included a series of discussion sessions highlighting an Arab road map to support persons with disabilities during epidemics and crises. The participating delegations also listened to the experiences of the member states of the Arab League during COVID-19 pandemic and taking into consideration the needs of people of determination.
Source: Emirates News Agency