His Excellency the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Mukhtar Al-Yafaei, met today at the Ministry’s headquarters in the capital, Aden, with the Country Director of Handicap International, Mr. Mohammed Takwi, in the presence of the organization’s Southern Region Director, Mr. Mohammed Omran. The meeting focused on ways to strengthen partnership and joint coordination to support programs for persons with disabilities and to enhance the rehabilitation and medical services provided to them.

During the meeting, discussions covered the existing areas of cooperation between the Ministry and the organization, foremost among them support for rehabilitation and physiotherapy centers, and strengthening humanitarian interventions related to persons with disabilities. The participants also explored mechanisms to expand programs to include integrated psychological, social, and health services, contributing to improved service quality and sustainability.

Minister Al-Yafaei emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to developing its partnership with Handicap International in a way that achieves a qualitative improvement in the level of services provided to persons with disabilities. He stressed the importance of strengthening the capacities of specialized institutions and centers to enable them to deliver comprehensive services in accordance with high professional and humanitarian standards.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of supporting vocational rehabilitation programs and providing employment opportunities, which would enhance the integration of persons with disabilities into society, promote their self-reliance, and enable them to actively contribute to the development process. He affirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating the work of international organizations and addressing any challenges they may face.

For his part, Mr. Takwi reviewed the activities and programs of Handicap International in the country, particularly in the areas of training, rehabilitation, and capacity building for local staff, in addition to the organization’s areas of intervention. He reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continuing coordination with the Ministry to further develop programs, expand support, and improve the level of services provided.