By Ngor Deng Matem
The International Committee of the Red Cross, (ICRC) in South Sudan has distributed thirty-five wheelchairs to people who are paralyzed and unable to walk in Aweil.
The beneficiaries were identified by the state Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare in collaboration with the communities.
Some of the people who received the support expressed happiness and appreciated the ICRC and government.
Mrs. Josephine Abuk, who is among the beneficiaries said that “my hope is restored and this help gives me strength as I will be visiting my friends, relatives and get relief from bruisers of crawling,” she said.
Mr. Garang Deng, another person who received the wheelchair believes that his relatives who take care of him shall no longer be with worries.
“The relatives have been taking care of me so much, especially the children who have been taking me around while crawling. Now that I have what to take me around, they will not put too much focus on me again like before as I will ride my bike and go to where I want. Thank you, ICRC,” Garang happily expressed.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, on Wednesday 23rd February 2022, state minister for gender, child and social welfare ministry Lusia Alesio thanked the Red Cross for the support.
Lusia also urged people who take care of disabled to take full responsibility for the given wheelchairs.
Lusia further appealed to well-wishers and organizations to support the people living with disabilities with special needs.
“Some of these disabled were not born with disabilities but they got it through sickness and war. Others got it through polio as there were limited health services. So I am appealing to ministries of health and education to provide disabled with free medication and education” Kuka called.
“I am also calling on partners who are outside there providing assistance to vulnerable people to consider the disabled especially with food support so as to sustain their lives. My appeal is specifically to partners who are giving food assistance to go deeper in remote villages than urban,” Lusia stated.
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