LE 5 billion spent annually to back 1.1 million disabled people in Egypt: ministry

CAIRO – 4 December 2020: The Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity has reviewed, in a report, the most prominent efforts it has made in favor of people with disabilities in various fields, as part of the celebrations of the International Day of Disabled Persons.

In the field of social protection, the Ministry provided cash support to 1.1 million people with disabilities at a cost of LE 5 billion annually.

The ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Population, included all persons with disabilities in the health care system, for the beneficiaries of the cash support program, and those who obtained relevant certificates from a medical commission.

Concerning legislation, a law on rights of persons with disabilities was issued, confirming what was included in the articles of the 2014 constitution, which guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006. Also, executive regulations of the law were issued to organize it.

In the field of economic empowerment, 3,235 persons with disabilities have been employed, in cooperation and coordination with companies and factories of the private sector. Also, coordination has been made with partners to provide training, rehabilitation and employment opportunities for 7,000 people with disabilities.

In the framework of rehabilitation, psychological examination have been provided to 1,789 disabled people through the Guidance and Psychological Counseling Center.