DIHA Project facilitates Acquisition of Disability Cards to 541 Persons with Disabilities
The Disability Inclusive Humanitarian Action (DIHA) Project has facilitated the acquisition of national disability cards for 541 persons with disabilities in Mezam Division. In collaboration with the Coordinating Unit of the Associations of Persons with Disabilities (CUAPWD) North West Region, the DIHA Project organized one stop shops in 4 locations in Bamenda 3 Sub Division, Santa Sub Division, Tubah Sub Division and Bamenda 1 sub division for the purpose. The exercise ran from April 19 to 21, 2023.
In Cameroon, the national disability card eases access to disability-specific services offered by the state such as social security allowance, free education, discount on public transport, assistive devices, and free health services among others. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of persons with disabilities don’t have this important document either due to long distances or because of the complicated processes involved in acquiring it.
It is against this backdrop that the DIHA Project and the CUAPWD decided to go by the one stop shop strategy by bringing together in one location all the Sub Divisional stakeholders involved in the official procedures involved in the production of the national disability card in Cameroon.
The team at each location included an official from the Sub Divisional Office to fill the residence certificate, a medical doctor from a government hospital to carry out medical examination for the issuance of a medical certificate, and the chief of the Social Center to assist in registering persons with disabilities. Apart from these sub divisional officials, there was also a photographer to take full pictures and passport size pictures which are requirements for the disability card.
A total of 679 persons with disabilities turned out in the 4 locations with 541 eligible for the acquisition of the disability cards which shall be ready in a few weeks’ time.
The exercise was also characterized by the registration of 79 youths with disabilities by a team from the Delegation of Youth Affairs and Civic Education who came to each of the stations to register enroll them into the National Youth Observatory. The National Youth Observatory is aimed at engaging youths to participate in the process of civic education, social inclusion, and economic empowerment.
The DIHA project which supported the organisation of the exercise also donated 121 dignity and Mama kits to vulnerable women and girls, and pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers.
The DIHA project it should be noted is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) through Christian Blind Mission. Its activities are jointly implemented by the CBM Country Office Humanitarian team and CBC Health Services with a strong involvement of persons with disabilities.
