Mr. Abdel Kareem Zubeidi, Mayor of Salfit, and the Palestine Investment Fund inaugurated “Al Ba’eineh Park”, the Salfit municipality’s park for children with disabilities. Members of the municipal council, representatives of government and non-government institutions, security agencies, and families of persons with disabilities attended the ceremony.

Mayor Zubeidi explained that as part of its social responsibility towards persons with disabilities, the Salfit Municipality develops projects with the aim of guaranteeing comprehensive adaptation of the city to accommodate their needs, raising their awareness, realizing their rights, and providing them with the needed support and empowerment.

Mayor Zubeidi added that Al Be’ineh Park for children with disabilities is a municipal initiative with funding from PIF, Be’ineh Njeidat local council, and the Municipality of Salfit. He also pointed to another park for children with disabilities that was constructed in Marahat area through funding from the European Union, as well as the adaptation of the municipal playground also through funding from the European Union. Mayor Zubeidi added that the municipality hires more than 10% of persons with disabilities among its staff and works on adapting entrances and roads for persons with disabilities as well as designating special parking lots for persons with disabilities. These projects and others are part of the efforts of the municipality to upgrade the city of Salfit to become fully adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities.

In his turn, PIF Communications Director Mr. Awad Duaibes said that this support comes under the pioneering role of PIF as a national institution in the development of the national economy. Duaibes added that the funding comes within PIF’s strategy for investment to achieve positive impact across all main economic indicators. It comes alongside the implementation of a comprehensive program for community investment and social responsibility that targets the different groups and segments within the Palestinian society, particularly the youth and the disadvantaged. Duaibas added “we pride ourselves over this support in partnership with Salfit Municipality. It comes as a step forward towards providing an appropriate recreational environment for our children with disabilities on the basis of equality with their peers.”

Mr. Taha Hussein, the Chairman of the Palestinian General Union of People with Disability, commended the role of Salfit Municipality in supporting persons with disabilities in the city, engaging them in all the activities, programs, and strategic plans of the municipality, and granting them a role in representing all the sectors.