Persons with disabilities, PWDs, have appealed for humanitarian aid from organizations and persons of goodwill. The appeal is in the backdrop of the continuous lockdown that has been going on now for weeks, paralysing economic and social activities.
Nyingcho Samuel, Technical Adviser for Hope Social Union for the Visually Impaired, HSUVI, and former Coordinator of the Coordinating Unit of Associations of Persons With Disabilities, CUAPWD, on behalf of his peers of the South West and North West Regions, has written a letter in which he speaks to the “global community” sharing “our plight and push for urgent actions to alleviate our suffering.” In the letter the Technical Adviser for HSUVI, adds: “Our lives depend on your respond.” He states that “the protracted lockdowns have brought our economic activities to a standstill, leaving us without access to basic necessities like food and medication.” He lists some consequences which he describes as “dire” to include the following: food insecurity, no access to medication, and economic desperation.
Here is the full letter as written by Nyingcho Samuel captioned: The Plight of Persons with Disabilities in Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon
“We will not only die from bullets; we will die from starvation.” This stark reality encapsulates the dire situation faced by persons with disabilities in Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon, where ongoing lockdowns have crippled our lives.
The Devastating Impact
The protracted lockdowns have brought our economic activities to a standstill, leaving us without access to basic necessities like food and medication. The consequences are dire:
– Food Insecurity: We lack access to food, making it impossible to sustain ourselves.
– Medication Access: Many of us are unable to access essential medications, exacerbating our conditions.
– Economic Desperation: With economic activities down, we are unable to afford basic needs.
Plea for Urgent Action
We urge the international community, particularly the United Nations, to intervene and provide aid to persons with disabilities in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon. We need:
– Food Assistance: Immediate food aid to prevent malnutrition and starvation.
– Medication Access: Uninterrupted access to essential medications.
– Economic Support: Support to revive economic activities and enable us to sustain ourselves.
Call to Action
We appeal to the global community to share our plight and push for urgent action to alleviate our suffering. We cannot afford to wait. Our lives depend on your response. United Nations, humanitarian organizations, and governments should hear our cry for help and take action.
Post Script:
If you read this article and decide to make a support, you can reach out to Nyingcho Samuel via the telephone number: 677387731
By Jeff Ngawe Yufenyu
