Wheelchair Support to Flood Victims in Pakistan Message I am very pleased that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, in collaboration with the Foundation of Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCDF), Wheelchairs And Friendship Center of Asia (Thailand) and Thai Denso Group, has played a crucial role in the delivery of wheelchairs to assist disabled persons in Pakistan who were affected by severe floods in August 2010. The Ministry’s contribution was part and parcel of the spirit of solidarity and active co-operation by all sectors in the Thai society to support and mobilize humanitarian assistance to help disaster – stricken countries. During August and October 2010, Thailand provided financial assistance, medical supplies and essential flood relief items worth more than USD 770,000 to Pakistan. In addition, 20,000 tonners of Thai rice are currently being prepared for shipment to Pakistan. I hope that our joint efforts will concretely benefit, and relieve the sufferings of, the affected Pakistani people. The Ministry of Foreign affairs of Thailand stands ready to cooperate closely with APCDF in providing various kinds of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance to disaster-stricken countries. Kasit Piromya Minister of Foreign affairs of the kingdom of Thailand Message How should DENSO earn the trust of and coexist with society as a global corporation? We consider contribution activities are one of our CSR priorities, and we pursue many activities focusing on human resource development and coexistence with the environment. These activities consist of local programs to contribute to communities where we have our business activities; regional programs to resolve social issues in the regions; and global programs to help overcome global issues such as environmental problems, poverty and degradation of nature. Clearly, we cannot accomplish all these activities without partnership with other organizations. We particularly seek for future collaboration with government and NGO sectors to correspond from local to global issues, which I think was realized in this support for Pakistan. Masao Suematsu COO & Executive Vice President, DENSO International Asia Co., Ltd. What is DENSO? DENSO, a leading supplier of advanced automotive technology, systems and components for all the world’s major automakers, operates in 34 countries and regions with more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates. Approximately 120,000 employees are active in all aspects of the automotive business -- sales, product development and design and manufacturing -- to provide the most suitable solutions to regional requirements. DENSO’s mission is to realize an advanced automotive society in which automobiles, people and environment are in harmony. Therefore, there is no room for compromise when it comes to the quality of our products and services, and our focus with all our products is consideration for the environment, safety, comfort, and convenience. Message As a wheelchair user I understand how important wheelchairs for life are... wherever I go and whatever I do, and even while I am sleeping, my wheelchair must beside me. Even when I travel by a car, bus, train or plane, my wheelchair is always within my sight... Wheelchair is not just a chair with wheels. How you choose your shoes to fit your feet or how you choose your clothes to fit you body is the same as how wheelchair users choose their wheelchairs. We, WAFCAT, would like to see every person who needs a wheelchair should get one, which fits to them. Providing a wheelchair is a key to create a society for all. I can not smile without wheelchair! My wheelchair is my life! Suporntum Mongkolsawadi Chairperson, Wheelchairs And Friendship Center of Asia, Thailand What is WAFCAT? Wheelchairs and Friendship Center of Ais (WAFCA) was established in 1999 as a commemorative social contribution project for DENSO to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. WAFCA aims to achieve inclusive development for persons with disabilities to live independently through the widespread use of wheelchairs, and contributing to barrier-free society in Asia though friendship, support activities in sports and education. Projects implemented are in cooperation with WAFCAT in Thailand, where DENSO established the first overseas production factory. WAFCAT has supported a wheelchair industry “Thai Wheel” and donated approximately 2,000 wheelchairs produced by Thai Wheel in Thailand and other Asian countries since 1999. WAFCAT also focuses on education supports, such as scholarships and barrier-free facilities at rural schools. Message On 27 August 2010, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) received a letter “Request for Wheelchairs for Flood Victims in Pakistan” from the South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) / Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization (DPI Pakistan). In response, APCD facilitated humanitarian support in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Embassy of Pakistan in Thailand, DENSO, Thai Airways International, and NGOs such as the Wheelchairs And Friendship Center of Asia Thailand (WAFCAT) and Aid to Asian Disabled Peoples’ (AADP) of Thailand. As a result of this multisectoral collaboration, 30 wheelchairs were successfully delivered from Thailand to Pakistan. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to partners in this joint effort and look forward to further collaboration for humanitarian support. Tej Bunnag Chairperson, APCD Executive Board What is APCD? “Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability” (APCD) is a regional center on disability and development established in Bangkok, Thailand as a legacy of the Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002. Working with more than 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, APCD is under joint collaboration of the APCD Foundation and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). APCD has been endorsed by the UNESCAP as a regional cooperative base for its Biwako Millennium Framework for an inclusive society in the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012. Message AADP project has started for 7 year. I think Pakistan changed a lot because people with disabilities has been implemented many activities. AADP’s policy is that to hand to hand wheelchair. We have distributed about 120 wheelchairs to Thailand once a year. AADP are going to support people with disabilities in Asia as much as we can. Kunio Ogura Executive Director Aid to Asia Disabled People’s / AJU Center for Independent Living Appreciation On Behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan, and on my own behalf, I wish to express our profound gratitude for the donation of 30 wheelchairs for the flood victims in Pakistan. This act of compassion, spearheaded by the Foundation of Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCDF), goes a long way in addressing the special needs of people with disabilities, afflicted by this devastating natural calamity. Our special thanks are due to His Excellency Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman, APCD Executive Board, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Thai Embassy in Islamabad, DENSO, Thai Airways, and all the business and NGO sector partners who collaborated in this commendable initiative. This kind gesture will always be remembered. Soharl Mahmood Ambassador of Pakistan in Thailand Embassy of Pakistan, Bangkok SOUTH ASIAN DISABILITY FORUM (SADF) 27 August 2010 Mr. Akiie Ninomiya Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability Subject: Request for Wheelchairs for Flood Victims in Pakistan Pakistan changed from a water scarce country to water stressed country. One-fifth of its land was inundated. According to the United Nations, the destruction caused by the floods in Pakistan is greater than the damage of the 2004 Asian tsunami, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The deadly rain has left every single province paralyzed and in need of immediate aid. Such rain has brought in a huge flood, killing and injuring thousands, affecting 20 million in 71 districts of Pakistan, destroying 4,600 villages, shattering 722,000 homes, damaging 3.2 million hectares of standing crops, leaving 6 million with no access to clean water, 3.5 million children at risk of contracting deadly water-borne diseases and 6 million in need of food assistance. With over 90 highways damaged, 45 bridges destroyed, the country is almost left in shreds and tatters. The extent of damage by this natural calamity is beyond comprehension and once the flood water recedes, the true picture will emerge. But that picture will be devoid of psychological scars of people affected by the flood. Although every possible help to those who are affected but we at South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) / Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization (DPI Pakistan) are more concerned with the relief and rehabilitation of those whose sufferings are doubled: persons with disabilities. For the hundred thousands of persons with disabilities, it has been a great turmoil in surviving a disaster. The state of such individuals is simply inexplicable. Persons with disabilities may find it more difficult to access to emergency supplies and other support due to physical and environmental barriers. These hurdles may be critical to their survival. The requirements of persons with disabilities are not taken care of in the event of an emergency. Thus, there is a need to create accessible environment with wheelchairs in collaboration with those working in the disaster stricken areas. At this stage at least 300 wheelchairs are required. We are requesting you to kindly arrange as many wheelchairs as possible according to your responses. These wheelchairs will be distributed among most deserving affect people through the network of Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization (DPI Pakistan): the national alliance of disabled people’s organizations in Pakistan, in cooperation with SADF. Any support from you in this context will be highly appreciated. Muhammad Atif Sheikh Chairperson, South Asian Disability Forum Contact persons Muhammad Atif Sheikh Chairperson South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) 724-G, Street 178, G-11/1, Islamabad, Pakistan Tel:+92-512111331 / Fax:+92-512220176 Email: atif.sheikh@step.org.pk URL: http://www.step.org.pk Ghulam Nabi Nizamani Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization (DPI Pakistan) Tel: +92-3332916281 Email: ghulamnabi.nizamani@gmail.com URL: http://www.danishkadah.org.pk/networks/PDPO Process of disaster assistence (wheelchairs from thailand to pakistan) In the disaster, APCD mission team was in Pakistan. Later partners in Pakistan asked APCD for any relief effort. In cooperation with AADP and APCD, DENSO and WAFCAT delivered 30 wheelchairs to Thai Airways at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok. The ceremony was participated by the representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Pakistan Embassy in Bangkok, DENSO, WAFCAT, Thai Airways International, AADP and APCD. After 30 wheelchairs reaches Islamabad airport, Royal Thai Embassy picked up and brought to the Embassy. South Asian Disability Forum and Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization distributed through its network in Pakistan. Wheelchair recipients and the Embassy of Thailand in Pakistan were visited by key stakeholders for follow-up. Financially supported by DENSO, the report of this practice has been developed by all collaborators in this joint effort. Interview with Wheelchair Recipients in Pakistan I didn’t have a wheelchair in the past. I stayed at home for long. We didn’t expect flood which wiped out my house. No one came to rescue us. I am happy to get a wheelchair which let me get out of the house. I am happy to go out by the wheelchair now. Indeed, it is a major change in my life because of wheelchairs. Other persons with disabilities are waiting for help. I want to set up an organization to work for persons with disabilities. Waheed Khan Wheelchair Recipient During the flood, we were moved to army area for 14 days. Since there were no wheelchairs available, we used clutches. I am a wheelchair user now. But everything was gone when we came back. We felt tears in our eyes. Khan Nawaz Wheelchair Recipient My father and mother died many years ago. I work for the whole family, including 3 sisters. I used clutches and braces to move and waited for assistance from other people. I was so tired of my life. After I got a wheelchair, I can move easily. I feel relaxed with the wheelchair. I can work for medical store to take care of my family and save some money. It is the only income source for my family. Fayaz Khan Wheelchair Recipient There are 50 students with disabilities in my school where it was affected by the flood. We got some assistance from the government and international organizations. A disabled people’s organization “Special Talent Exchange Program” helped and gave an idea to work. This is the first time I worked with persons with disabilities in my area. We lost everything in school. 300 houses were destroyed. Some are rebuilt but not all. Tufail Ahmed Brain Maker Public School Appreciation South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) and Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization (PDPO) believe in networking and collaboration. We do appreciate your kind support from the people of Thailand. Facilitated by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), collaboration on wheelchair provision for persons with disabilities of Pakistan affected by flood is the best practice by involving different stakeholders including the Government of Pakistan, the Government of Thailand and the business sector such as DENSO and Thai Airways. SADF/PDPO regards this activity not as just a support but awareness-raising on disability at the broader level. For instance, this collaboration has been publicized in the Thai Airways magazine “Sawasdee”. This good practice can be a model and could be replicated and continued in the region. Muhammad Atif Sheikh, Chairperson, South Asian Disability Forum Ghulam Nabi Nizamani, CEO, Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization What is SADF & PDPO? South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) is a network of Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) working at the sub-regional level in close collaboration with the Governments, APCD, UN agencies, International and domestic NGOs in South Asia. SADF has been established to promote and facilitate South Asian regional cooperation on disability-related concerns for the benefit of persons with disabilities through strengthening and facilitating DPOs network and leadership role. The Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization (PDPO) is a national cross-disability, self-help, human rights organization of persons with disabilities established in 1981 as Disabled Peoples’ International Pakistan (DPI Pakistan). We have been promoting full-participation and equalization of opportunity of person with disabilities by delivering a voice of our own. PDPO has been collaborating with many other international agencies. Media Coverage On 30 September, WAFCAT donated 30 wheelchairs to people affected by flood in Pakistan. The Thai Airways International offered a free delivery through its regular flight to Pakistan on 1 October. In Pakistan, over 20% of its land was inundated by the flood in July and August. Local organizations requested relief efforts for the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD, Bangkok). Being contacted by APCD, WAFCAT processed the wheelchair production in cooperation with the Thai Wheel Industry. The press event at the Suvarnabhumi Airport was attended by key stakeholders including Mr. Sohil Mahhood (Ambassador, Pakistan Embassy in Thailand), Mr. Isao Masaoka (Vice Chairman, WAFCAT), Mr. Masao Suematsu (Executive Vice President, DENSO International Asia) and Dr. Tej Bunnag (Chairman of Executive Board, APCD). According to the local organizations in Pakistan, at least 300 wheelchairs are still needed. WAFCAT has been contacting other business companies for more cooperation. The Yomiuri Shimbun, Asia, Page 28, 6 October, 2010 [Bangkok, Junichi Fukasawa] Sawasdee november 2010, thai airway magazine Designed by Persons with disAbilities Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD Foundation) 255 Rajvithi Rd., Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400 Thailand Tel : 66-(0)-2354-7505-8 Fax: 66-(0)-2354-7507 Url : www.apcdfoundation.org