EXPRESSION OF CARE
Svetlana Khachatrian
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006
On December 3, the international day of the disabled people, NKR Deputy
Prime Minister Ararat Danielian met with the chairs of the unions of
the disabled. This day cannot be considered as a holiday, of course,
but it is another opportunity to meet, wish good health, discuss
their problems and assure that they are in the focus of attention of
the government. The disabled people comprise 10 percent of the world
population and 7 percent of the population of Artsakh. Unfortunately,
their number is growing. If in 2002 7000 disabled people were
registered in the republic, in 2006 their number has mounted to 9000.
This is an immense number for such a small country, especially that
the social and economic possibilities are not sufficient to solve
all the problems of the disabled people. However, the government does
everything not to let them feel isolated and help them integrate with
the society. Ararat Danielian said several days ago the government
adopted the annual program of social security of the disabled and
extended it to the National Assembly. He said it is foreseen to
increase the allocations for the disabled people. The minister of
social security Vasily Atajanian said they will be trying to send
more people with disabilities to resorts. Afterwards the deputy prime
minister of NKR gave presents to the NGOs. The Vita Organization,
which had won the grant of the government in 2006, got a Ford car. The
unions of veterans of World War II, and the veterans of the Artsakh
Liberation War, Kantegh, the union of people with hearing problems,
the Zangak union of disabled children got TV sets.