(From left): James Ochan, ICRC's Disability Inclusion Advisor, and James Evans, Inspector Social Welfare, national Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, speak to Eye Radio's Dawn Show. December 4, 2023. (Photo: Emmanuel Akile/Eye Radio).

The International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday urged South Sudan to end discrimination against persons living with disabilities in the country.

ICRC’s Disability Inclusion Advisor, James Ochan, said people with special needs should be treated equally without stigma.

He called for participation of persons with disabilities in both private and public sectors.

“Let us just look at persons with disability as human, when we talk about human, we know what is human, as you consider yourself human, look at persons with disability as human,” he said on Eye Radio’s Dawn Show.

“If I come to you, don’t just look at me and then you try to think differently. I’m here in the studio, when you hear my voice out there, you may think I don’t have disability, I have disability.”

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is normally marked on December 3 every year. But South Sudan has pushed the occasion to tomorrow, December 5.

It is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992, to mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

This year, it is under the theme: ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the sustainable development goals for, with and by persons with disabilities’.

“So, there is nothing that limits me from doing something which is of big help to the country. I’m someone with disability I have my contribution in the country, and I can contribute a lot to the country, and I can contribute to the GDP of the country.”

“Do not discriminate persons with disability because of who they are or because of their disability, no.”