Henry Swaka who is visually impaired, is an activist for people with disabilities - COURTESY

The Association of Persons with Visual Impairment has today officially launched registration of the blind persons across the country in order to improve data keeping and address challenges facing the vulnerable group.

Mawut Luise, Chairperson of South Sudan Association of Persons with Visual Impairment said the registration will go until 28^th of February.

Visually impaired persons around Juba County are expected to start their name entry from the Physical Rehabilitation Referenced Center adjacent to custom Market in Juba.

Meanwhile, other focal points of registrations will be established in the states.

“We are delighted to today (Monday), 6/01/2025 to declare the official launching of general registration for people with visual impairment throughout South Sudan.

“This registration will start from today up to the 28th of February to ensure that we have access to accurate data about people with visual impairment or people who are blind in South Sudan”, he confirmed upon the belated commemoration of the World Braille Day which is observed every 4^th of January..

Mawut articulates that, the move is to ensure issues facing the minority in the country are addressed with an aid of accurate data.

“When we have sufficient information about people with visual impairment in the context of South Sudan, both in humanitarian and development context, we will be in position to make an informed decision, be able to intervene properly in addressing challenges facing people with disabilities.”

Mawut went on to call on the government and partners to use the data for scaling up intervention measures to curb the suffering of the marginalized group in the country.

“I wish to call on all the partners and the government actors to ensure that information on persons with disabilities is prioritized and put into consideration so as to ensure that no one is left behind.

He acknowledged the crisis the visually impaired persons are going through as a result of the economic hardship adding that an accurate data will aid equal resource distribution.

“For us to be able to address this, urgent intervention measures should be taken so as to uplift the suffering of people with disabilities in general in the context of South Sudan from poverty”, he added.