News
Eighteen leaders from the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network met in Beirut, Lebanon on 3-5 July, to addresses concerns in the region and to evaluate the strategic plan.
It was important that the meeting took place in the Lebanese context, given the fact that 1 million Syrians have sought protection in Lebanon since the start of a brutal civil war, noted a communique released at the conclusion of the consultation. “Lebanon, being a small country, has had to bear the tag of being the only country with more refugees per capita in the whole world, where refugees now represent over one-fourth of the population,” reads the text. “These influxes exacerbate pre-existing tensions in a country already struggling with a weak economy and a complex domestic and regional political situation.”
The group reflected on the various challenges refugees face and the role the United Nations has played with regard to policies and funding. “As part of our engagement we commit to promote advocacy for refugees with disabilities at the global level and raising of awareness of the right of all refugees with disability,” reads the communique.
Photo: Anjeline Okola/WCC
The communique requests the government of Lebanon to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. “We further request the UN to understand disability from a human rights perspective and plan inclusion from the onset of all programmes and enhance efforts to consult persons with disabilities, in order to understand their views and provide more tailored services for inclusive humanitarian action,” reads the text.
