The lives of disabled Palestinians in Gaza, particularly those left on the streets, is marked by a tireless struggle for survival. Statistically, the strip’s population of nearly two million is among the most vulnerable in the world. Its citizens face economic poverty, malnutrition, and dwindling medical care, among other dire conditions. Among the most affected are the disabled.
The Palestinians of Gaza have long faced the daunting task of developing an equitable and functioning healthcare system, a fiercely difficult feat in an area consistently rocked by political unrest. This has put immense strain on the availability of support for the disabled, making them incredibly vulnerable in the strip.
For many, the physical and financial restraints are unsurmountable. Those with physical disabilities, who cannot actively seek and maintain employment, are among those most financially vulnerable. They are often neglected in terms of healthcare and rehabilitation, leaving them stuck in their current state of being.
To make matters worse, in Gaza it is still socially unacceptable, even shameful, for many families to take care of those with physical or mental disabilities. As a result, they are often sent away to receive help, leaving them in an incredibly high risk situation.
The streets, one of the few places of social connection, are also immensely dangerous. The statistics tell an even more heartbreaking story: According to the Palestinian Disability Network, over 21% of street dwellers in the strip are disabled Palestinians. These individuals face a desperate struggle for survival, struggling to meet not only basic psychological and physical needs, but legal ownership of property too.
The harsh reality of life on the streets of Gaza for disabled persons is one that is all too often overlooked. For those who turn to the streets for shelter, the struggle to secure basic living requirements is grim. With limited opportunities to survive, the plight of the disabled Palestinians of Gaza is one that has sadly been overlooked in the region. In an area that is already pushed to its limits, the need for civilian rights cannot be overstated, particularly for the disabled among them.