Assistant Undersecretary for Social Care and Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Shaikha Aisha bint Ali Al Khalifa, participated in the virtual High-level Meeting to Support Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19 in the Arab Region.
The meeting was organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in cooperation with the Arab League and the Arab Organisation for Persons with Disabilities (AOPD), with the participation of representatives of the Arab League and the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility.
This meeting aimed to enhance coordination with various partners and governments on addressing the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on persons with disabilities.
It also aimed to identify national initiatives, and provide a learning platform to share different experiences and practices that countries have adopted to address the pandemic and its health, social and economic impacts on persons with disabilities, and explore ways to develop a road map for the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities and prevent their isolation from society.
Addressing the online meeting, the assistant undersecretary highlighted Bahrain’s efforts to care for and protect about 12,000 persons with disabilities in the midst of the global exceptional circumstances.
She said that the Labour and Social Development Ministry continued delivering comprehensive services for people with determination, including the monthly BD 100 allowance, distance learning and training, in addition to other supportive services and programmes.
She indicated that a total of 1,562 students with special needs have benefited from the services offered by six government-funded rehabilitation centres, 15 local centres run by civil society organisations, to which the Labour Ministry grants BD1,200 million annually, and 18 private centres.
She also highlighted the projects implemented by the Labour and Social Development Ministry in partnership with NGOs, the Interior Ministry and the Information and e-Government Authority (iGA).
She also said that the Labour Ministry continues to receive demands related to the disability allowance and the provision of special equipment for them.
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