World News | Samarthanam at UNHRC to raise awareness of post-Covid impact on people with disabilities

Geneva [Switzerland]22 March (ANI): In an oral statement during the general debate on persons with disabilities at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council, the Samarthanam Trust for the disabled raised awareness of the post-Covid impact on persons with disabilities.

Dr Mahantesh Ghativalappa Kivadasannavar said: “It is a kind of confinement for them without any interaction. Some people with disabilities, especially women and girls with disabilities, are physically, sexually, mentally, emotionally abused and exposed to exploitation and violence.” Chairman and Founder of Samarthanam Managing Trustee.

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The first and second waves of COVID19 have adversely affected people with disabilities globally. Thousands of disabled people are dying from COVID19 infection, starvation and starvation, lack of access to medicines and treatment, rehabilitation services, and secondary complications without access to therapeutic interventions.

Kivadasannavar added: “Social distancing isolates them, they feel emotionally alone. The outside community has no interaction with them.”

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The post-COVID impact has been more severe than the pre-COVID wave. Thousands of disabled people lost their livelihoods. Families are separated, resulting in broken families. Old people are abandoned by their children. The amount of displacement is large.

“During layoffs and downsizing, factories made them a priority. Hunger and starvation continued. There was no support system. Medication and treatment became non-existent for them. Disabled children and disabled elderly suffered the most, as middle-aged and other non-disabled family members migrate to towns in search of livelihood opportunities, leaving these people without any care or support,” said the head of Samarthanam.

Malnutrition in children and older adults is a common feature of the post-COVID period. Many civil society institutions intervened and provided support, using available resources.

“The Indian government and state governments have taken many affirmative actions and have played an important role in protecting the interests of people with disabilities in many ways during COVID-19. This has contributed greatly to improving the situation of people with disabilities during the pandemic,” Dr. Kivadasannavar added.

Provisions in the Disability Rights Act 2016 are effectively implemented and guidelines and standards have been issued to protect the interests of persons with disabilities in humanitarian emergencies, particularly COVID-19.

Samarthanam, Government of India and State Governments have undertaken large-scale strategic interventions for people with disabilities during COVID19.

Interventions include: distribution of dry ration packs; outreach, awareness and training to multiple stakeholders; COVID and related kits for Anganwadi and ASHA staff, police, health and sanitation workers; ICU beds; Oxygen Machines; Oxygen Plants; ICU Ambulances; Deli Kits; Vaccinations; Medications; Monthly Allowances; RTCPR Kits; ETC.

This partnership with federal and state governments greatly advances the interests of protecting people with disabilities. More than 94 job fairs were organized in cooperation with 500 companies, resulting in employment opportunities for 10,000 disabled people. (Arnie)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)