It’s only been a week for Nigerians, but the effect of the deadly coronavirus emergency is about the only thing on anyone’s mind. Everyone is concerned about friends and relatives, as the government is trying to put in place, workable modalities to save the country from the clutches of the pandemic, but no one is talking about those who are extra vulnerable getting sick, the people with special need and disabilities.
This was made know by the convener of the popular Non-profit organization, Empathy Driven Women International Initiative (EDWIIN), Uri Ngozichuckwuka in a statement released on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, stating the urgent need to donate relief materials for persons with disabilities, PWDs, in the heat of the deadly coronavirus spread.
She wrote;
"When crisis strikes, people with disabilities face higher risks to their well-being and survival.
"The government is worried, the people are equally worried about the loss of income, careers, and businesses. We are afraid of what it will be like to “social distance” for months, rather than just a few days or weeks.
Uri Ngozichukwuka, Convener, EDWIIN"How can we easily forget the high-risk group, who is considering the safety of the disabled people?
"When pandemics break out when the earth begins to shake, people with disabilities often cannot flee on their own, and their families may not have the strength or means to assist them. "Terrifying dangers can await those who are left behind, including the risk of death.
"While we make provision for an emergency as government and as people, People with disabilities usually fall through the cracks during response efforts.
"Lagos has its fair share of 15% persons with disabilities. The country already has 85% of its population living below poverty lines.
"People living with disabilities make up a significant percentage of those statistics.
"This is why our PWDs-driven foundation, EDWIIN is calling on government and well-meaning Nigerians to stretch their hands of support and donate for these people. These are terrible times for the Dwarfs, the deaf, dumb, albinos, blind, and orphans whose livelihoods are equally knitted to the efficiency of the regular commerce.
"In the wake of the world epidemic, these persons in the vulnerable target group stand a higher chance of starvation isolation and death before Covid 19 steps in.
"Empathy Driven women international initiative ( EDWIIN) hereby, call on the state government and manufacturing companies across the country to partner with her and provide the basic necessities for these persons as soon as possible.
We call for donations of the following
Rice
Beans
Garri
Spaghetti
Tomatoes pastes
Noodles
Tissues
Sanitizers
Bathing soaps and detergents
Towels
Stipends.
Vitamin C
Chloroquine
Logistics companies for deliveries
These items will help preserve them as the country grinds to a halt.
The logistics and distribution of these items will be sorted out by state representatives of persons with disabilities
EDWIIN calls on all to be empathetic towards each other in these times.
EDWIIN cares
Plus masks and gloves.
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