South Korean embassy supports HCD’s COVID-19 preventive measures, services

AMMAN — HH Prince Mired, president of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) on Monday received a donation from Korean Ambassador to Jordan Lee Jae-wan in support of HCD’s work.

The donation was presented during a ceremony on the Korean embassy’s premises, to mark the embassy’s support for the HCD, given the latter’s nationwide efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an embassy statement. 

The donation was also made to commemorate October 3 as the Day of Korean National Foundation. 

The donation includes hygiene items — reusable protective masks, hand sanitisers, thermometers and gloves — which will be distributed to the HCD, its liaison offices and disability-related non-governmental organisations, according to the statement.

During the ceremony, Prince Mired expressed his gratitude to the Korean ambassador and the embassy for the in-kind support, especially in relation to interventions to implement anti-virus measures and ensure that those measures are accessible to persons with disabilities.

The prince added that since the lockdown in last March, the HCD has worked with its partners in the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, introducing a series of interventions, including a COVID-19 service guide, as well as a Guiding Principles Document on the Preventive and Treatment Measures in Relation to COVID-19 for Persons with Disabilities.

The Korean ambassador noted that during the COVID-19 crisis, persons with disabilities are at higher risk for contracting the virus, requiring taking extra precautions. 

Applauding HCD’s dedication and contributions to improving the condition of persons with disabilities, the Korean embassy decided to participate in the efforts of the HCD to protect people with disabilities from COVID-19 infection.

Speaking of bilateral relations, the ambassador said: “Like Jordan, Korea has taken strong measures to mitigate the spread of the virus since the outset of COVID 19. Korean people chose the path leading to ‘freedom for all’.  The Korean government has kept its people fully informed every step of the way, and the people in turn have responded to this by placing their trust in the government, voluntarily wearing face masks, and doing physical distance. Korea will continue to commit itself to working together with Jordan in combating COVID-19.”  

The Korean government has been making efforts together with the Jordanian government to support persons with disabilities, the statement said. 

From 2017 to 2019, the Korea International Cooperation Agency distributed low cost light-weight electronic prosthetic hands to more than 100 amputees in Jordan.