Nangarhar disabled people left in the cold

JALALABAD (PAN): The disabled community in Nangarhar lamented that the government continued to ignore their welfare and failed to provide employment opportunities.

Masood Safi, head of the Disabled Association in Nangahar, told Pajhwok Afghan News on Monday that the government failed to address their plight and charity projects were merely lip services. 

“Just five percent of the disabled community is working in the government. We are educated and have energy to work but not given a chance because we are disabled people,” Masood said at the International Day of People with Disability observance event.

Malak Ranga, a disabled person, said they are living without shelter, despite President Hamid Karzai signed a decree in 2003 to award residential plots in Qasim Abad Town to people with physical deformity.

“Unfortunately, the government is yet to fulfill its pledge and if our woes are not resolved we would stage a protest,” he cautioned.

Rafiullah Baidar, head of the Independent Human Rights Commission in Nangarhar, urged the government to address the pressing socio-economic issues plaguing the community.

Abdul Hakim Shirzad, director of the Labors and Social Affairs department said last year 1,770 disabled persons attended vocational training and this year 2,055 had graduated.

“We are trying to hire disabled people in the administration, but now the hiring system is through open competition that depends on their qualification,” he added.

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