In December 2023, EASPD wrote a letter to Mr Janez Lenarčič, who is European Commissioner for Crisis Management for the European Commission. In the letter, EASPD asked the European Commission to step up the European Union’s role in negotiating peace amongst conflicting parties, highlighting that persons with disabilities are among the first to lose their lives and to be left behind when violence starts. The letter also called on the European Commission to do more to ensure that the significant humanitarian aid that goes towards Gaza should also be used to target support for persons with disabilities in this area.

Moving forward, EASPD will be engaging with partners at the European Disability Forum to best assess how we can make sure that persons with disabilities in conflict zones can get access to the humanitarian aid they need to enjoy their basic rights.