The China Assistive Devices and Technology Center for Persons with Disabilities took part virtually in the Symposium on Ensuring Access to Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation Services in Humanitarian Crises, which was held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on April 29.
The symposium was co-hosted by the Permanent Missions of China and Pakistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva. High-level representatives spoke at the event included Ambassador Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the UN Office at Geneva; Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme; Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant director-general; Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean; and Ambassador Bilal Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN Office at Geneva. Nearly 100 participants, including permanent representatives of 15 countries and representatives from relevant international organizations, joined the event.
During the roundtable session, a representative from the China Assistive Devices and Technology Center for Persons with Disabilities shared China's experiences in rapidly deploying assistive devices following the Wenchuan and Jishishan earthquakes. The representative highlighted that China's swift response capabilities are built on institutional strengths, a comprehensive assistive technology service system, and a growing assistive devices industry.
The representative also put forward recommendations on improving access to assistive technology in humanitarian settings, covering areas such as policy development, product catalogue formulation, project implementation, capacity building, and international cooperation.
Participants agreed that with the growing frequency of health and humanitarian crises and the rising number of people affected, greater attention and investment from the international community are urgently needed to ensure the availability of assistive technologies and rehabilitation services in emergencies to help realize the vision of "accessibility for all".
At the symposium, the WHO Secretariat issued a call to action, urging stronger support for assistive technology access.