WFD President Murray on supporting Deaf people in war zones

Alex (Daily Moth): I met with the WFD (World Federation of the Deaf) President Dr. Joseph Murray. I asked him what the WFD is doing in war zones in Ukraine and Gaza (Palestine) and Israel. See his response.

Joseph Murray: The WFD, whenever we see disasters, be it flooding, war, or other incidents, we always reach out to that country’s Deaf association. We offer our help. Some Deaf associations decline help but others ask for help.

We provide support in multiple ways. I will give an example. There are several wars going on in the world. WFD is providing support in two war zones: Ukraine and Israel/Palestine, more specifically Gaza.

In the Ukraine war, when it started, we immediately provided support to Deaf Ukrainians who fled to other countries or to other places within Ukraine. We supported the Ukrainian Deaf Association (UTOG) when they brought in interpreters to provide access to information there. For Ukrainians’ shelter needs, we helped to coordinate all the Deaf associations in Ukraine to work together and support each other. We also encouraged the Ukrainian government to communicate policy changes. Our strength is supporting associations and connecting them with international organizations such as the U.N. refugee agencies, and others.

In Gaza, when war broke out, we contacted the Israeli Deaf Association to offer support. They said they were doing fine. The Palestinian Deaf Association (PFD) asked for help and support. We have seen many different needs. Above all is food insecurity. We connected the Palestinian Deaf Association with the U.N. food distribution program and achieved a distribution that was only for Deaf people. You know, when they give out food, they announce it through voice. Deaf people miss out and don’t get food. So we advocated for a special distribution only for Deaf people. We did this and Deaf people were able to get food. We raised money from donors like you to support the Palestinian association, who in turn supported food distribution for Deaf people in Palestine, specifically in Gaza.

We have different levels of work from the international level connecting people, supporting countries’ work on the front lines, and building for the future in strengthening Deaf associations in working with Deaf people.

Our principle is that we always work with Deaf associations in their countries. We won’t go in front of them because they know the best. We want to collaborate and provide support.

In war zones affecting Deaf people, we decided to bring in the Ukrainian Deaf association and the Palestinian Deaf association together in a video call. They talked about their experiences in war and learned from one another. Deaf knows best what Deaf wants. Deaf people know the best way to support other Deaf people.

Here at WFD, it is our mission, anywhere in the world, to provide support. We can do this with your support through donations and support for Deaf people in wars around the world. Come and support us as we support Deaf people!

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