Tehran — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in collaboration with two NGOs in the field of rehabilitation of the disabled, launched on 20 December a transformative month-long workshop to offer custom-made prosthetic limbs to Afghan migrants and their host communities in Iran.  

Inaugurated at the Yara Rehabilitation Centre in Tehran, the workshop brought together a notable gatheirng of experts including Stefan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator in Iran, Devendra Raj Mehta, the Founder and Chief Patron of Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), an Indian NGO which helps rehabilitate persons with disabilities, along with representatives from various UN agencies in the country, including UNHCR, UNIDO, OCHA and FAO. 

The workshop, jointly conducted by expert technicians from BMVSS and YARA, aims to enhance the mobility and quality of life for more than 400 Afghan and Iranians with physical disabilities, assisting them in acquiring greater independence to improve their overall well-being. 

Lalini Veerassamy, IOM Iran Chief of Mission, stated “this initiative heralds a new chapter in our journey towards empowering Afghan migrants and their host communities, enabling them to improve mobility and paving a path towards greater self-reliance and autonomy.” 

IOM is committed to ensuring that its humanitarian assistance is inclusive of persons with disabilities. Conditions can be dire for people with disabilities living in displacement or while migrating; however, forced displacement and unsafe migration can themselves create disabilities as well. 

"Once hindered by an accident in the act of making our traditional food, leading to the loss of my foot, I've found new freedom with my prosthetic limb," said an Afghan migrant who took part in the workshop. "Now, I no longer need to wait for my three daughters to visit me, as I can visit them whenever my heart desires," the 60-year-old added.

Financially supported by the Government of Italy, IOM Iran has taken the lead on this collaboration to foster a culture of shared responsibility, break down the physical barriers and promote greater social cohesion and inclusion of persons with disability. 

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For media enquiries, please contact Nima Karimi at IOM Iran, +989125208662, nimkarimi@iom.int