Washington, April 26, 2010 - American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) is pleased to announce the implementation of project to help disabled children of Sukhneh Camp and the town of Sukhneh.  The year-long, three-phase program will identify 100 cases of hearing and visual impairment and other physical disabilities and prepare appropriate diagnostic and rehabilitation services. It will also include an awareness campaign and training workshops for parents. 

ANERA is developing the program in cooperation with Ladies of Sukhneh Society and the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf -- a leader in the field of deaf education -- and its network of service providers.

Sukhneh Camp was established in 1969 near Zarqa, about 50 miles north of Amman.  It is home to 7,000 Palestinian refugees.  Surveys indicate that residents with disabilities are numerous.  The UNRWA camp has one health center with a doctor who comes three days a week. There is no community rehabilitation center, specialists or private clinics to treat the disabled.  The town of Sukhneh has 18,000 residents and limited health services.

"ANERA hopes to provide linkages to the necessary educational and rehabilitation services beyond Sukhneh for children with special needs who are the most vulnerable so they can be integrated meaningfully in the community," explained ANERA president Bill Corcoran.

ANERA is currently expanding its programs in Jordan, which include after-school activities for Iraqi and Jordanian youth and the distribution of educational supplies and hygiene kits.