Pakistan: Impact of the Earthquake on the Lives of Disabled People

Sponsors: The World Bank South Asia Social Protection and Disability & Development Team
Who: Ms. Susan Hirshberg, Sr. Education Specialist, World Bank
         Ms. Charlotte Vuyiswa McClain-Nhlapo, Regional Disability Working Group Coordinator for South Asia, East Asia & Pacific Regions, World Bank
When: Thursday December 15, 2005 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Chairs: Ms. Mansoora Rashid, Sector Manager, SASHD, World Bank
            Ms. Judy Heumann, Advisor on Disability and Development, HDNSP, World Bank

 

Abstract:

Pakistan has been making progress to include disability in their poverty reduction and growth strategies.  In 2002, the Government of Pakistan promulgated a National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, which the Bank helped launch in 2003.  Last year the Bank in collaboration with the GOP's Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, commissioned a situation analysis which resulted in a draft National Action Plan to implement the policy. A national consultation on the Action Plan, also sponsored by the Bank, was held in April to ensure input into its final form.  The recent earthquake has resulted in many newly disabled people in addition to those already facing limited opportunities.  As result of physical and social barriers educational and employment outcomes have been extremely limited, therefore the government is beginning pilot projects in a number of areas. 

 

This presentation focused on: the situation that disabled people are facing in the country; the two pronged approach on disability adopted by the Government to ensure implementation of the broader National Policy and develop a inclusive education program; the Ministry's response to the impact and implications of the earthquake; findings from the Bank’s recent mission to the country; and how the Bank intends to continue its support to the Pakistan government.  The presentation was intended to be informative but also interactive.

 

Speakers:

The presenters included Ms. Susan Hirshberg, Sr. Education Specialist on Leave of Absence, who has been working as a DfID Technical Advisor to the Ministry on the consultation process to implement the National Policy and developing the inclusive education program, and Ms. Charlotte Vuyiswa McClain-Nhlapo, a disability focal point of the region in the Bank, who visited and spent several weeks in the country after the disaster discussing with the government, international agencies/organization, and local NGOs of/for disabled people.