Dong Ha, Quang Tri (10 May 2018) – As part of the Irish Aid-funded Project on “promoting the implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities and delivery of pro-disabled services, Project RENEW today in collaboration with the Quang Tri Provincial Association for Disabled Persons, Agent Orange Victims, Disability Support and Protection of the Children’s Rights (the Association) held a workshop on information campaigns for disabled persons and community.
The workshop was attended by representatives from Project RENEW, the Association, Department of Health, District Blind Associations and the Quang Tri Provincial Legal Aid Bureau.
Mr. Thai Vinh Lieu, Chairman of the Association, appraised the effective and practical partnership between Project RENEW and the Association in conducting pro-disabled information campaigns after the Province People’s Committee merged all disabled persons organizations in July 2017.
In view of the results obtained in 2017, workshop participants discussed and reached a consensus on the information contents of the rights of disabled persons and related disability policies for 27 communes in Quang Tri in 2018.
Nguyen Thanh Hao, who lost both hands due to a cluster munition explosion in 1984, now heads a disabled persons club in his Gio My Commune. He is an active member of the pro-disabled information campaign.
Last year, Project RENEW’s Prosthetics and Orthotics Outreach team examined 246 disabled persons and fitted 138 artificial limbs and assistive devices to help them restore mobility. 113 elderly and severely disabled persons received wheelchairs and three-wheelers. 45 blind people attended vocational training on making broom and incense sticks for generating income. In addition, RENEW paid much attention to building capacity for the cadres of the Association in order to better conduct information campaigns in support of disabled persons. Recently, RENEW has coordinated with the Provincial Hospital to relaunch the Orthopedic Workshop after nine years of suspension, making it easier for amputees to use the local facility for examinations and fittings with custom-made prostheses.
Mr. Dang Quang Toan, Project RENEW Victim Assistance Program Manager said that “many disabled persons after attending information sessions have improved their knowledge and understanding of their rights and interests.” “For example, eight out of 30 disabled persons of Trieu Ai Commune, Trieu Phong District attending an information session have completed their application for the allowance that they never thought they would be eligible.”
With continuous support from Irish Aid, Project RENEW in addition to pro-disabled information sessions will continue mobile rehabilitation program, vocation training for the blind and support families with many disabled members to improve their economic situation.
Founded in 2001, Project RENEW is a cooperative program between the government of Quang Tri Province and foreign non-governmental organizations dedicated to restoring the environment and neutralizing the effects of the war. Project RENEW carries out UXO Survey and Clearance, Victim Assistance and Risk Education with funding from the U.S. Department of State, Irish Aid and other foundations and individuals.
