The European Union (EU) is the world’s largest aid donor. It funds and implements projects worldwide where persons with disabilities should be included. EDF holds the EU accountable and ensures organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) are consulted in EU policy and programming. We facilitate liaison between OPDs and EU Delegations staff to guarantee the inclusion of persons with disabilities in EU efforts across different regions, including the Middle East.
EDF works closely with the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD). AOPD is a regional organisation composed of DPOs operating in the different Arab Countries (countries in the Middle East and North Africa).
AOPD’s main objectives are to promote the rights of people with disabilities, to empower people with disabilities and to represent Arab people with disabilities in the world at large.
Contact: aodp@cyberia.net.lb
X: @ArabPersons
EDF advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities in Gaza and in the region, providing regular updates to DG ECHO and other EU bodies on the humanitarian situation. We press the EU to show leadership and ensure humanitarian aid is disability-inclusive, accessible, and prioritises those most at risk.
August 2025: EDF Submission to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
EDF submitted a detailed report under Article 11 of the CRPD (Word document) examining the impact of the conflict on persons with disabilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
June 2025: EDF’s presentation at the European Parliament meeting on Palestine
EDF presented to the European Parliament during a meeting organised by the Delegation for relations with Palestine (DPAL), addressing the situation of persons with disabilities in Gaza and calling for EU action and inclusive humanitarian policies.
May 2024: EDF Co-signatory of Disability Justice for Palestine Collective’s Open Letter
EDF co-signed an open letter calling for an immediate ceasefire, amplification of Palestinian disability voices, disability-inclusive humanitarian aid, accountability for war crimes, and urgent support for persons with disabilities in Gaza.
June 2024: EDF General Assembly the Disability rights, peace and conflict resolution.
December 2023: Second letter to the President of the European Commission and High Representative of the EU emphasising the critical situation of persons with disabilities in Gaza.
June 2023: EDF Annual General Assembly Resolution calling for inclusive and participatory response to ongoing humanitarian crises.
October 2023: Letter to DG ECHO, in collaboration with the Arab Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD), demanding accessible communications, evacuation routes, and prioritizing women, children, and older persons with disabilities in aid efforts.
October 2023: EDF supported the International Disability Alliance (IDA) Statement on the situation of persons with disabilities in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
June 2022: EDF Annual General Assembly Emergency Resolution calling for Peace, 2022.
If you want to help, consider donating to Humanity and Inclusion’s for their work in Gaza.
From the President of EDF, in Brussels at our Board meeting, 16th March 2024:
“Today, in Europe, in the European Neighbourhood and the world, our brothers and sisters with disabilities. Mothers, fathers, children, families are under bombardment- our Ukrainian brothers and sisters now suffer over two years sustained attacks by Russia. We remember all those affected by the war in Ukraine, and our members who fight relentlessly to minimise the harm , and provide support to persons with disabilities. And another dark shadow hanging over us is the ongoing horrific war between Israel and Gaza. We have called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the protection of persons with disabilities and all civilians. But right now, as we speak, the people of Gaza are starving. Children are starving and families live in fear. Death is everywhere. How can a person with disabilities be aided by food parachuted in from the sky? Europe: where are you? Europe should be a place of peace and a place that promotes peace, safety and security, and should invest every effort possible to bring immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”
From the President of EDF, in Slovenia, at our General Assembly, 11th May 2024:
“I would like at this point to express my deepest sadness that it has not been possible to bring peace in Ukraine. Ukrainians continue to fight against the Russian full-scale invasion which has been going on for more than two years; we will hear today from our members in Ukraine. The brutal war in Gaza continues and I cannot put in words how devastating this is to the people – while we are here, working together, people with disabilities and their families and communities are cut off, under attack, and starving. We call again today through the resolution of our General Assembly for the restoration of peace.”
