Persian-speaking countries set up coordinating committee to help PWDs

DUSHANBE, October 22, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran have decided to set up a coordinating committee dedicated to promote cooperation between the countries’ agencies for social protection of persons with disabilities (PWDs), Alsiher Sharipov, a spokesman for the Ministry of labor and Social Protection of Tajikistan, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to him, this issue was discussed at the 2nd Regional Conference on psycho-social rehabilitation for landmine survivors/persons with disabilities in Dushanbe on October 19-20.

“Each of the countries will be represented by seven persons in the Committee that will organize conferences, sports and cultural activities a well as other events for PWDs from three Persian-speaking nations,” Sharipov said, noting that the conference also discussed issues related to supporting PWDs.

“Persons with disabilities from Afghanistan may arrive in Tajikistan for medical treatment in our health resorts,” he added.

The conference was held by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MLP) in partnership with Tajik Mine Action Cell (TMAC) and the Afghanistan Disability Support Program (ADSP) under support of UNCIEF.

The first conference took place in Afghanistan and the third one will be held in Iran, the MLSP spokesman said.