UNRWA, HCD ink memo to promote rights of Palestinian refugees with disabilities

AMMAN — The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) and UNRWA in Jordan on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation.

The memo, signed by HCD President HH Prince Mired and Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs Olaf Becker for the years 2023-2028, seeks to provide the necessary technical support to make the agency’s services more accessible for persons with disabilities and to ensure protection of the rights of disabled Palestinian refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prince Mired stressed the need to adopt a new approach to further promote rights of persons with disabilities and frame the partnership with UNRWA to achieve common strategic goals.

The memo aims to implement a blanket policy to integrate students with disabilities into UNRWA schools in line with comprehensive national policy frameworks and other international guidelines.

In addition, the MoU promotes comprehensive social and cultural awareness in health and in educational and recreational activities for children with disabilities.

It also seeks to enhance the access of persons with disabilities to health, rehabilitation and support devices, and build capacity for the personnel of both organisations in the health, relief, social services, education, emergency fields, and protection programmes.

The memo also provides technical support on accessibility requirements and facilitation arrangements that should be provided to ensure access for persons with disabilities to various facilities and intervention services, and support national initiatives to address barriers preventing disabled Palestinian refugees from accessing services.

For his part, Becker lauded Prince Mired’s efforts and HCD’s role in raising awareness and increasing social inclusion for persons with disabilities in the Kingdom.

Continued integration and protection of the most vulnerable is a “main priority in building a society to achieve opportunities, hope and prosperity for all,” Becker said.

He also noted that the memo contributes to improving the social, cultural and economic participation of Palestinian refugees with disabilities in Jordan.

The two sides expressed keenness to cooperate in advocacy in national, regional and international events, with a primary focus on protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees with disabilities.