By Rafiullah Mandokhail;
ZHOB: Balochistan Rural Support Program launched rehabilitation project for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) funded by Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan Regional Integration Program (PATRIP) Foundation here in bordering district Zhob. Chief guest of the launching ceremony was Chairman Municipal Committee Abdul Saleem Mandokhail.
Delivering the key note address Senior Program Manager Niamat Jan Miryani described the newly launched project as another demonstration of BRSP’s deep commitment to support the most vulnerable segment of the society in the district that shares borders with Afghanistan.
He said persons with disabilities are an integral part of our society. The PWDs must be encouraged by providing facilities to make life easy for them and they could become active citizens.
“The newly launched project is aimed at focusing on steps which can make the life comfortable for those who are physically disabled,” he said.
The Program Manager said that PATRIP-funded all season market is under construction in bordering area Qamar Din Karez that will promote commercial links and strengthen contacts of people.
“PATRIP Foundation is supporting construction of market infrastructure to support trade in Pak-Afghan border area. Thousands of people would benefit from the project,” he hoped.
Highlighting the objectives of the PWDs project Senior Program Manager Muhammad Siraj Ghouri said that two year back BRSP with the financial support of European Union initiated Balochistan Community Development Program to support PWDs in forty union councils of four districts in Balochistan including Zhob. Over seven hundred disable persons were provided with wheel chairs, tricycles, crutches, white canes, hearing machines, artificial limbs, electric bed and bikes. He maintained that last year an expanded phase of BCDP project EU funded Balochistan Rural Development and Community Empowerment Program (BRDCEP project) launched in eight districts of the province. BRDCEP is a disability inclusive program and funds have been allocated for the provision of assistive devices to over 3300 PWDs identified during Poverty Score Card census.
According to the survey he said, approximately 3800 people have been suffering from different types of disability that means 3.51% of the population live with disabilities.
The Senior Manger said that BRDCEP project identified 5730 PWDs during PSC survey in targeted areas including 1287 persons disabled with below knee disability. Under BRDCEP) project 16 PWDs per union council will be rehabilitated.
He maintained that BRSP with the financial support of PATRIP Foundation has now initiated a relief program in 28 union councils of seven bordering districts including three UCs of Zhob district to provide latest orthotic and prosthetic support to PWDs with the help of Chal Foundation.
“Strong linkage with Social Welfare department the PWDs would be linked with social safety net programs,” he added.
Chairman Abdul Saleem Mandokhail and tribal leader Haji Lashkar Lawoon appreciated the services and overall efforts of BRSP and generous contribution of EU and PATRIP Foundation to bring improvement in the lifestyle of marginalized communities. The MC Chairman hoped that the newly launched program would help in minimizing the difficulties of dependent people in our society.
“BRSP is playing significant role for the development of the province and provision basic facilities of life to people in far-flung areas at their door-step.” They said.
District Program Manager Sher Hassan Barozai and Project Officer Qutab Mandokhail briefed the participants about BRSP’s activities and said that the organization is struggling to improve the lives of the people in remote and backward areas of the poverty-stricken province. The organization has initiated five projects in Zhob district including BRDCEP, MCP, PPR, PMIFL and PATRIP. They added.
Civil society members, representatives from social organizations and journalists atteneded the launching ceremony at circuit house.
