Persons with disabilities in Migori County were among 22 groups who benefited from donations by the United Nations Procurement Division (UNPD) in a bid to uplift their living standards.
The groups which comprised women, persons with disabilities, and youths received water tanks, tents and chairs, one-month-old chicks, and dairy cows.
The consignment was flagged off by the Migori County governor’s spouse Mrs. Agnes Ochilo who said the UNPD in partnership with Mama Agnes Ochilo Foundation and the Migori County Government will continue to engage developmental partners to uplift the lives of Migori residents.
Agnes affirmed that Covid 19 should serve as a reminder to reassess how residents can sustain their businesses in case of a future pandemic.
She further stated that Covid 19 pandemic had affected the majority of the small-scale traders which majorly included women, youths, and persons with disabilities.
She noted that proper intervention like UNDP aid will go a long way to addressing the economic challenges facing the vulnerable groups in order to achieve the social economic growth in the county.
She also added that the responsibility of her foundation was in line with the UNPD objectives of reducing the burden of vulnerable and special groups affected by Covid 19.
The Chairperson of Persons with Disabilities in Migori County David Otieno thanked the UNDP, the Agnes Foundation, and Migori County for the aid.
Otieno however, called upon the facilitators of the aid to expand to other sub-counties so that those with disabilities can benefit from the same.
Barack Opiyo the Chairperson of Paw Nyuka Disabled Help Group in Suna East Sub County urged persons with disabilities in the county to form or join groups to help them benefit from different donors and disability stakeholders.
Migori County Special Programme’s Officer Ms. Starlet Oduor acknowledged that the donated items and equipment will help the youths, women, and persons with disabilities to be self-reliant as well as improve their living standards instead of depending on handouts from well-wishers.
Starlet explained that the Special Programmes Department was established to identify and bring developmental partners together to help the residents of Migori in entrepreneurial activities to improve their welfare.
She pointed out that the department has mapped vulnerable groups in the county to assess their number, poverty levels, and vulnerability index and how best to assist them.
SOURCE: KNA