In brief
As conflict continues, Gazans with disabilities face insurmountable challenges, including loss of essential mobility aids and unsafe living conditions, complicating their pursuit of safety and basic needs.
In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, families are facing insurmountable challenges, particularly those who have members with disabilities. One poignant story is that of Zuhair Abu Odeh, who had to flee northern Gaza with his 9-year-old daughter, Lara, who uses a wheelchair. In his rush to escape, he accidentally broke her chair, forcing him and his sons to carry her for four and a half hours to safety in Nuseirat, which is approximately nine miles away. “We’re living through impossible times,” he shared, reflecting the grim situation in which people are forced from their homes amid relentless violence.The current crisis has displaced roughly two million residents of Gaza, but people with disabilities face unique hardships beyond the ordinary challenges of seeking safety. The ongoing hostilities have led to critical shortages of essential mobility devices and aids—including wheelchairs and hearing aids—leaving many without the support they need. Furthermore, damage to roads and living spaces has stripped away accessible features, further complicating mobility for those already at a disadvantage.While Abu Odeh eventually managed to acquire a new wheelchair for Lara in February, the struggle continues as they navigate the uneven and dirt paths of makeshift camps designed for those displaced by the conflict. He remarked how, even with the new wheelchair, their journey to essential areas like markets and hospitals remains significantly hindered.The crisis in Gaza demonstrates how war disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, forcing those with disabilities and their families to confront an “impossible” reality in their quest for safety, dignity, and basic human needs.
