Disabled refugees call for ‘equal opportunities’

Darfuri refugees in Gaga camp, eastern Chad, celebrated the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the presence of a number of representatives from local and international organizations on Monday, 3 December. A Gaga camp leader informed Radio Dabanga that a UNHCR official urged refugees to ‘gently deal with the disabled and not to make them feel unequal’. Additionally, he expressed his commitment to overcome the obstacles and find effective solutions to the problems disabled refugees encounter. Furthermore, Hussein Hassan Mattar, representative of the disabled in Gaga camp, stated that he presented the problems the disabled are facing to the international organizations during the celebration. He specified that these problems include the unavailability of certain treatment in the camp and transportation issues. Besides, Mattar called for equal opportunities for the disabled and called on the disabled refugees ‘not to abuse their rights’.  United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities is annually held on December 3 to focus on issues that affect people with disabilities worldwide.