The market dialogue in Kisumu has been held to map potential partners that can provide assistive technologies to children and persons with disability and to develop agile solutions to address the unique needs of children and persons with disability.
The dialogue has been organized today at the Vic Hotel, courtesy of Humanitarian Innovative Program which is a two- year program funded by Norway with technical support from UNCEF – Kenya.
It is currently being implemented in Kisumu County in partnership with the State Department for Social Protection, the National Council for PWDs and Kisumu County Government.
The aim of the program is to address gaps in data, systems and solutions that impede inclusion of children with disabilities and their families during humanitarian crises and emergencies.
The goal is to establish a comprehensive humanitarian initiative for children with disabilities and their families.
The expected outputs from the dialogue is to identify potential partners that can collaborate with the program to provide assistive technology solutions for children with disabilities and also develop an outline of agile solutions that can address the unique needs of children with disabilities.
While officially opening the market dialogue, the CECM for Lands, Physical Planing and Urban Development, Jerome Ochieng who represented Governor Nyong’o said the Humanitarian Innovative Program is timely, as the Country in the recent past experienced an unprecedented catastrophic floods that led to loss of lives and property.
He noted that Kisumu County has been selected to pilot the program having encountered humanitarian crisis caused by floods.
He further reiterated that the initiative requires consultations, collaborations and unwavering dedication.
Noting that Children with disabilities have been discriminated against and sidelined on humanitarian situations such as in data accuracy and statistics in PWDs, accessing assistive technology, high cost of disability assessment and registration, he stated that the county is developing a tailored disability Act. Further to that in the Governor ‘s speech, notice has been given to all gazetted hospital in Kisumu to offer registration for PWDs without cost.
He thanked all those who came up with the initiative that is in-depth and has a clear vision for children with disability in the County. He pledged support from the government in achieving the intended output and ensuring it is rolled out across the county.
On her part, Yetneberesh Nigussie Molla a representative from UNICEF said their policy and strategy have identified disability in humanitarian action as one of the key priorities in Kenya and Southern Africa region that faces calamities such as floods, cyclones, drought and slides that affect children with disabilities and their caregivers.
She thanked all the actors and Kisumu County Government tasking them to give guidance on the most sustainable way to reach those left behind.
Her clarion call to all actors is to break the barriers and build a bridge that will have more impact for millions of children with disability in Kenya.
The CECM was flanked by the Chief of Staff and the County Director for technical training, innovation and social services, Madam Pascalia Ouma
