Belarusian Society of Disabled People notes lack of government assistance

The Belarusian Society of Disabled People has not received government assistance for the implementation of social programs since 2001 and the authorities stopped funding the organization’s construction projects in 2002, Uladzimir Patapenka, chairman of the Society, told reporters in Minsk on Monday. 

The organization had to halt the construction of many facilities due to the lack of funding from the government a few years ago and the unfinished structures have already started crumbling, Mr. Patapenka said, referring to a factory building in Baranavichy, Brest region, and a health resort in the Braslaw Lakes National Park in northwestern Belarus. 

Enterprises run by the Belarusian Society of Disabled People reported a total of 68.3 billion rubels in earnings and paid 9.2 billion rubels in taxes from January through September of this year. 

The society has more than 66,000 members, all of whom have first- or second-degree disability. Its enterprises employ over 3,000 staff, including roughly 2,000 disabled people. //BelaPAN