The Social Service Center of Vitebsk District received a minibus from the Government of Japan
Over 1600 people with disabilities live in the region, 109 of them are children. The "Gazelle 3221" minibus is equipped with a special lift for wheelchair users and has seven conveniently located passenger seats for people with disabilities. The new vehicle, costing $26,000, was purchased as part of the project of the Territorial Center for Social Services of the Vitebsk District "Creation of barrier-free access for the elderly, disabled, and wheelchair users to social infrastructure facilities," implemented under the Japanese government's "Grass Roots" program. It has been operating in Belarus since 2004 and is aimed at helping people affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
On November 14, a solemn handover ceremony of the minibus to the social center took place at the Vitebsk District Executive Committee.
– People with disabilities need more attention than others. Now it will be easier to take them to the clinic, and they will be able to attend cultural events more often, – noted the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Belarus, Hiroki Tokunaga.
The diplomat added that the embassy will continue to implement humanitarian projects under the "Grass Roots" program to support the residents of Belarus and is always open to proposals from all regions.
– State institutions of the Vitebsk region, in accordance with the instructions of the head of state, are expanding international cooperation. Currently, over 170 humanitarian projects have been developed to support people with disabilities. Cooperation with Japan will continue, – said Irina Golodyuk, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Regional Executive Committee.