EASPD launches public appeal on behalf of Ukrainians with disabilities affected by the conflict

The European Association for Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) has launched a public appeal to the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), requesting they consider vulnerable social categories as their prime concern when planning and facilitating Emergency Aid Programmes.

The call for special attention comes in connection to the current conflict in Ukraine between the Ukrainian Governmental forces and rebels, which has led to the death of more than 2000 people and the displacement of over 86,000, according to UN data.

Inclusion Europe fully supports EASPD in their demand that “priority should be given to internally displaced people with physical, sensorial and/or mental disabilities who had to flee the war in Eastern Ukraine, because together with women and children, they are the most vulnerable victims and may encounter more difficulties in finding their place in the host communities.” According to the Ukrainian association National Assembly of Disabled of Ukraine (NADU) and the NGO European Association for Disability Rights, in the regions most affected by the conflict live more than 372,000 people with disabilities, out of which over 21,000 are children. The organisations have already launched a program offering aid to people with disabilities and their families from the Eastern regions of Lugansk and Donetsk who are seeking refuge.

EASPD’s appeal comes in conjunction with the International Conference on Disaster and Risk organised by Global Risk Forum Davos in cooperation with the UN office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the Council of Europe, which takes place in Davos on 24 -29 August. According EASPD, the conference in Switzerland “is an extremely important occasion to raise awareness and get the attention of those who can help provide economic and material support to Ukrainian civil society.”