By DIANA OMUEZA
The Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD), an NGO, is set to inaugurate its support centre for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to tackle disability-related issues during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Executive Director of CCD, Mr David Anyaele, said this on Monday during an online news conference, with the theme: ‘COVID-19 and the Situation of Nigerians with Disability’.
Anyaele said that the inauguration of a toll-free support line for PWDs was part of the organisation’s interventions to address disability issues during the pandemic as well as to sensitise PWDs across the country.
“The support centre will help to sensitise PWDs on COVID-19. It will also convene online discussions and collate the observations of PWDs, especially in the aspect of compliance with the lockdown directive and social distancing.
“The centre will also help us monitor PWDs’ access to humanitarian supports and link them with the social security interventions of both the state and the federal governments as well as those of NGOs and other well- meaning Nigerians,” he said.
Anyaele said that the organisation had also commenced a social media campaign, focusing on implementation of COVID-19 behavioral change among PWDs.
He said that the campaign was aimed at minimising the negative impacts of COVID-19 among Nigerians with disabilities as well as raising awareness and enhancing access to information.
Anyaele, however, appealed to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to mainstream disability matters in its coronavirus response and recovery plans, with targeted actions.
This, he said, would ensure that all gaps were close around disability and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The executive director also said that the establishment of accountability mechanisms to ensure inclusion of disability in its response was paramount and could not be over- emphasised.
He also appealed to the PTF to mandate the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to create a dedicated hotline or support centre for PWDs across the country to enhance quick access.
Edited By: Abiemwense Moru and (NAN)‘Wale Sadeeq