(ii)
Efforts to Fulfill the Basic Rights of PWDs
346.
The Government of Eritrea extends its services to all persons with disabilities (PWD).
This includes the areas of education, health, justice, improvement of livelihoods, income
generating schemes, the right to work and gain full employment, improving environmental
barriers and guaranteeing equal opportunities. Ranges of programme initiatives have been
strengthened and expanded that specifically target PWDs. To ensure accountability, the
MoLHW has also established a division for the functional monitoring, action, institutional
support and coordination mechanisms with government bodies in the welfare of the disabled.
347.
The economic situation of PWDs has thus been improved through various measures. In
this respect, the right of PWDs (above 18 years of age, whether married or not) to acquire
land and carry out agricultural activities (farming and animal husbandry) in particular has
been ensured and respected as a major priority. The MoLHW has also implemented and
managed a revolving loan scheme to help PWDs start income-generating activities for
gainful employment (refer table). The objective is to promote self-sufficiency and eliminate
the poverty of the most vulnerable targets. To this end, the scheme has operated in all subregions of the country. A total of ERN 137,504,111.36 (about USD 8730420) has been
distributed to 5,431 PWDs (73.8% males and 24.2% females) and their families. The
activities include small enterprises in metal and wood work, farming, animal fattening,
poultry, beekeeping and gardening, petty retail trade and services (beauty salon, barber,
bicycle repair, etc.). The evaluation reports carried by the MoLHW revealed that PWDs who
have accessed the revolving fund have been able to improve their livelihood, raised their
income level and contribute significantly to the community.
348.
The Government also expends
huge subsidies and support to
WDVs which is channeled through
programmes and activities of the
Eritrean Association of War
Disabled Veterans (ENWDVA).
ENWDVA which has about
18,000 members has also worked
to alleviate the basic problems of
the WDVs. Its activities are
publicly disseminated in its annual
magazine
called
„HABEN‟
(denotes pride). The following are
some of the achievements:-
Region
Central
Southern
Anseba
Northern Red Sea
Southern Red Sea
Gash Barka
Total
Sex
Male Female
718
285
1101 377
707
132
441
118
67
17
1080 388
4114 1317
Total
1003
1478
839
559
84
1468
5431
%
18.5
27.2
15.5
10.3
1.5
27.0
100
Loan Beneficiaries by region and gender
Training - provided training to 4749 of its members in various technical and vocational
skills (343 in metal and wood works, 52 in wood in painting, 10 in art work 5 in pottery
193 in tailoring and embroidery works, 1818 in computer applications, 6 in electric city 4
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