JEAN – JENN Disability Initiative in partnership with National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) held workshop in Abuja on how NGOs can access and manage Persons With Disabilities (PWD) during outbreak of pandemic or epidemic.
Mrs. Jean Onyekwelu, Founder and CEO of JEAN – JENN Disability Initiative in her welcomed address highlighted that PWDs are disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She explained that PWDs experiences difficulty in accessing healthcare and information during the pandemic.
Mrs. Onyekwelu said “this workshop is timely considering the difficulties encountered by PWDs during the Pandemic (Covid-19) in Nigeria. This workshop doesn’t just end here, the idea is to sensitize, teach and build a data bank of NGOs. These NGOs being well equipped on how to handle PWDs during any pandemic (we are not praying for it) or any emergency like natural disasters that can affect PWDs, will be readily available and handy for use.”
“I have to really appreciate the indefatigable, proactive, vibrant Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities Mr. James Lalu and his able lieutenants in the NCPWD who facilitated the birthing of this workshop today.”
In his remark, the Executive Secretary NCPWD, James Lalu, represented by the Director, Social Integration, NCPWD, Mr. Lawrence Idemudia appreciate the work JEAN – JENN Disability Initiative is doing in lifting the life of PWDs in Nigeria.
The ES highlighted the difficulties encountered by PWDs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to start preparing NGOs and groups in the instance of any pandemic in the future.
James Lalu advised Nigerians not to relent in keeping to all COVID-19 protocols as the pandemic is still ravaging.
The workshop was attended by the various cluster groups in the disability communities, NGOs, media and other stakeholders.