Minister Power welcomes events marking Disability and International Development Week

Public events and exhibition to be held in Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre

The Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power T.D., today welcomed events in Ireland to mark Disability and International Development Week. Speaking at the opening of a photographic exhibition by Irish NGOs working with people with disabilities in the developing world, Minister Power said:

“Disabled people are more vulnerable to poverty and the effects of being poor. Poverty increases the risk of becoming disabled through unsafe living environments, under-nutrition, lack of access to immunisation and treatment and exposure to landmines.

One of Irish Aid’s priorities is the elimination of poverty and exclusion, in particular through support for marginalised and vulnerable groups. If we are serious about reaching the Millennium Development Goals, we need to properly deal with disability and disability issues, including prevention.”

Minister Power congratulated the members of the Dóchas Disability and International Development Working Group for their efforts to mark the week. The free photographic exhibition runs at the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, on Dublin’s O’Connell Street, until 14 June.

Note to editors:

Irish Aid supports a number of programmes to assist people living with disabilities in developing countries. Central to these programmes is Irish Aid’s partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which has a particular focus on disability.

One aspect of this partnership, which is supported in consultation with ICTU and IBEC, focuses on governance and how it impacts on people with disabilities. The project, which has received over €3.3 million from Irish Aid over the past two years, aims to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities in developing countries. 

Mine clearance initiatives supported by Irish Aid, such as those operated by the Halo Trust, have prevented serious injuries in countries that have experienced war. Irish Aid also supports organisations working with the survivors of landmines.

Around 10 per cent of the world's population, or 650 million people, live with a disability. 80 per cent of people with disabilities live in developing countries. People with disabilities, their families and carers are, and continue to be, some of the most excluded people in the world.
A full programme of events to mark the week is available on www.dochas.ie. Information on events taking place in the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre is available on www.irishaid.gov.ie/centre.

**ENDS**
Press Office
5th June 2008