The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the aim of formally consolidating cooperation to serve and protect Palestine refugees with disabilities during the period 2023-2028.

Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al Hussein, President of HCD and Olaf Becker, Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs in Jordan, signed the MoU at HCD headquarters.

During the signing ceremony, Prince Mired stressed the importance of adopting a new approach in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities going forward, noting how important it is to officialize the agreement with UNRWA so as to work on and achieve common strategic goals.

The MoU focuses comprehensively on areas of practical cooperation in inclusive education within UNRWA schools, per the Government of Jordan’s national policy, and guiding international commitments. In addition to public awareness-raising and education in social and cultural initiatives, health and rehabilitation services, and assistive devices, the MoU promotes access of persons with disabilities to said services.

The MoU also aims to build joint capabilities and provide training opportunities to the employees of both partners in the areas of health and relief, social and educational services, emergency services, protection programmes targeting persons with disabilities. Additionally, it will provide technical assistance in relation to requirements pertaining to accessibility and reasonable accommodations that must be in place to enable persons with disabilities to access these different services and interventions. This is in addition to supporting national initiatives geared towards breaking down environmental and behavioral barriers preventing Palestine refugees with disabilities from accessing these services.

In his speech, Becker thanked the Prince and HCD for their great work in increasing awareness and social inclusion for Persons with Disability in Jordan. “Inclusion and protection for the most vulnerable persons must remain one of our key priorities in building a society of opportunity, hope and prosperity for all,” he said.

“With the signing of the MoU between the HCD and UNRWA, we are proud to be part of a joint vision in laying the foundation to improve the social, cultural and economic participation of Palestinian refugees with disabilities in Jordan,” he added.

Both sides confirmed looking forward to cooperating in the field of advocacy in national, regional, and international events, with a primary focus on protecting and promoting the rights of Palestine refugees with disabilities. The ceremony concluded with a group photo and thank you notes.

HCD Secretary-General Muhannad Alazzeh and other senior staff members within the organization, together with UNRWA Deputy Director of Programmes, Kunal Dhar, Chief of Education Programme, Dr. Oroba Al Mousa, UNRWA Chief Field Relief and Social Services Programme, Hana Uraidi, and Chief Field Health Programme, Dr. Mustafa Ammoura among other senior UNRWA staff, also attended the event.