KULOB, July 8, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- International non-governmental organization, Mission East, today organized in Kulob district (Khatlon) a meeting of representatives from local authorities, education, health, and social care departments, disabled people’s association, international organizations active in the area, and media to develop a general program of supporting children with disabilities.

Ms. Mahbouba Rasoulova, consultant, Mission East Tajikistan, noted that the Mission East has been engaged in social protection of children with disabilities in the area since 2008 though the project, Income, Independence, Inclusion.

According to her, a special center had been set up that was transferred to local NGO Zarshedabony on completion of the project.  “In the Dahana and Ziraki jamoats of Kulob district, Mission East provided grants to 43 local women and under the grant contract, they have donated part of their incomes to support children with disabilities,” Rasoulova said, noting that due to the Mission East initiative, local authorities provided homestead plots to 74 families having children with disabilities.

The project, Income, Independence, Inclusion, has supported economic development and welfare in Kulob district.  Reflecting its title, the project aimed to increase incomes, lead to more independence and achieve the social and economic inclusion of people and families coping with disabilities.  

This year, Mission East is implementing a new project, Giving Opportunities to Civil Society to Support Rights of People with Disabilities, she added, noting that the project is being implemented in cooperation with technical partner, international organization Handicap International, and executive partner, local NGO Zarshedabony.

Mission East is a Danish international non-governmental relief and development organization which works to help the vulnerable through humanitarian relief aid, development assistance, the linking of relief, rehabilitation and development and through supporting communities’ capacity to organize and assist themselves.