Photo showing representatives of Egypt's Ministry of Local Development, Cairo governorate, Good Makers Foundation, and PepsiCo Egypt Group during singing a cooperation protocol on Sunday 13 March 2022 to revamp 37 sidewalks in Cairo's Zamalek to suit people with disabilities (photo: Egypt's Cabinet)
The agreement was signed on Sunday between the country's Ministry of Local Development and Cairo governorate, on one side, and civil society organisation Good Makers Foundation and PepsiCo Egypt Group, a Cairo-based affiliate of the international beverage company, on the other.
The move complements the recently launched cooperation initiative between the Egyptian government and civil society organisations, which started in Cairo's Maadi neighbourhood last year, according to the statement.
The new initiative is meant to facilitate the integration of people with disabilities into the society without reliance on escorts, added the statement.
As per the initiative, the Local Development Ministry and Cairo governorate will issue licences and approvals required for implementation of the project.
On the other side, Good Makers Foundation and PepsiCo Egypt Group will be tasked with reconstructing the selected sidewalks to provide easy access for disabled people by building wheelchair ramps and putting up signage.
In October 2021, 28 sidewalks in the Maadi neighbourhood were selected for reconstruction as per a protocol inked between Cairo governorate, Housing and Development Bank and Misr El Kheir Foundation.
The preparation work for the selected sidewalks in Maadi has been concluded, Local development Minister Mahmoud Shaarawy, who attended Sunday’s event, said.
He also expressed his aspiration to expand the initiative to include another districts in Cairo and other governorates in cooperation with civil society organisations and major companies, the statement pointed out.
In recent years, the country has intensified its efforts to provide easily accessible transport and public spaces for physically challenged people.
Up to 11 million individuals in Egypt live with a disability, according to General Supervisor of the Egyptian National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) Ashraf Marai.
Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2021, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced a package of executive measures targeting the welfare of people with special needs.
He also called for more specialised training for teachers working with children with special education needs and training programmes and workshops for Egyptians with special needs to help them qualify for job opportunities.
In February, the Egyptian ministries of transport and social solidarity signed a cooperation protocol to adopt measures meant to facilitate access and use of public transportation for people with disabilities.
The protocol is meant to help people with disabilities move around seamlessly includes on the newest transportation currently under construction, such as the monorail, the LRT, and the BRT, and the existing means, such as the railways and underground metro, read a cabinet statement.
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