RECORDER REPORT

PESHWAR: International Day for Persons with Disability was observed at the Nishtar Hall, Peshawar here on Tuesday with great zeal and enthusiasm. This year the day is observed with the theme of ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all’.

The event was organized by Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa in collaboration with Handicap International. Secretary Relief, Rehabilitation & Settlement department Zahir Shah was the chief guest on the occasion.

Besides, large number of special persons, students from the Social Welfare Department, CDPM University of Peshawar, Humanitarian organizations, and representatives of civil society also attended the ceremony.

Addressing to the participants 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 other stakeholders in all developmental and no developmental work.

“The effects of climate change, including natural disasters, food insecurity, conflict, and refugee situations, make persons with disabilities disproportionately affected. 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”, he added. He said that the government and non-governmental actors working around disability need to closely coordinate and collaborate to reach the shared objectives.