Kuwait to assure safety of special needs people

Al-Otaibi speaks at the session of UNSC

NEW YORK, Dec 4, (KUNA): Kuwait assured on Tuesday that there are several steps to be taken in order to assure the safety of people with special needs from armed conflicts.

Kuwait permanent representative at the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi affirmed during the session of the UN’s Security Council the importance of fulfilling all the decisions of the council to achieve the security of civilians.

Al-Otaibi invited all organizations affiliated with people with special challenges to participate in executing strategic plans in preserving peace and set the guidelines to achieve the goal of the strong cooperation between the UN, its specialized agencies, active entities and local partnerships.

“We understand that all governments, donors and specialized relief agencies are swamped in their work during armed conflicts, but we must insure the rights of challenged people in providing them with the necessary supplies and aid without any discrimination as part of the human crisis respond plan,” Al-Otaibi said.

“The international community celebrated yesterday The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and more than one billion people around the world suffer from various disabilities, that’s more than 15 percent of the population, and in the 13th of December the world will celebrate the 12th anniversary of the approving the agreement that assures the rights of people with disabilities which was approved by 170 countries, including Kuwait,” AlOtaibi added.

Al-Otaibi noted that the agreement states that all concerned parties are obliged by International Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Law for Human Rights to take all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of the handicapped people in case of gun conflicts, human emergencies or natural crisis.

“People who suffer from rare disabilities are more likely to be exposed to danger especially during the time of conflict and violence where the challenges they face are harder in finding water, food and refuge,” Al-Otaibi continued.

Al-Otaibi concluded his speech in mentioning the children with special needs during the time of conflicts and their needs that are not taken into consideration when providing aid.