From Gaza to Geneva: WHO Director-General hosts Palestinian disability delegation

In a strong show of solidarity and commitment to advancing health equity for persons with disabilities, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, met with a delegation of Palestinian persons with disabilities on 14 August 2025 at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

The delegation, comprised of representatives from civil society organizations, disability coalitions, and international allies, brought forward powerful testimonials about the urgent challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Palestine amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Their visit coincided with the 33^rd session of the UN Committee on the rights of persons with disabilities.

During the meeting, the delegation highlighted several pressing concerns:

• barriers to medical evacuation and vital health services for persons with disabilities, including reproductive health care for women with disabilities;
• limited access to assistive technologies as part of health aid being provided to Gaza; and
• integration of disability inclusion as a must in the long-term plan for restoration of the health system.

"Many Palestinians with disability who also have chronic illnesses were unable to evacuate," said Shatha Abusrour, Palestinian Disability Coalition.

Dr Tedros was joined by senior WHO leadership, including Dr Altaf Musani, Director of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, and Mr Darryl Barrett, Technical Lead of WHO's Disability Programme.

After the meeting, the Director-General published a post on X, expressing being: "grateful to meet with a delegation of persons with disabilities from Palestine. Their voices and experiences must be heard. WHO is committed to supporting their health needs and right."

WHO reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening support through disability-inclusive operational coordination in Palestine and proposed a follow-up meeting to explore concrete actions. WHO will continue working closely with its country and regional offices, along with global partners, to ensure that the health needs and rights of persons with disabilities are recognized, prioritized and addressed.

The delegation of Palestinian persons with disabilities included representatives from the:

• Arab Organisation of Persons with Disabilities
• Disability Justice for Palestine Collective
• International Disability Alliance
• Palestinian Disability Coalition
• Palestinian General Union for Persons with Disabilities.