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Facing disaster together

Niger DilNahar
DISASTERS have a great impact on people with disabilities. This issue is recognised and addressed by Article 11 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It says: "States Parties shall take, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters."
As one of the world's most vulnerable and disaster affected countries, this day is very significant for Bangladesh. It focuses on disaster affected and vulnerable people to raise their awareness about disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness, and also to promote a culture of safety and disaster resilience in the community. The government has adopted a slogan in line with the international theme, "Facing Disaster Together with the Person with Disability."
In Bangladesh we regularly experience the adverse impact of disasters and population disabilities. Every year, lots of people are affected by natural and human induced disasters. Besides casualties, disasters physically disable many people. But disability receives too little attention in DRR.
Disaster management vision of the government is to reduce the risk of people, especially the poor and the disadvantaged, from the effects of natural, environmental and human induced hazards to a manageable and acceptable humanitarian level. Specific laws, apart from the disaster management related policies, laws and plans, have been passed to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD), such as Disability Welfare Act 2001; National Policy on Disability 1995, National Action Plan on Disability 2006, etc., in which the rights of person with disabilities are protected.
However, PWDs are still facing serious difficulties in getting the necessary access and participation opportunities in disaster risk management (DRM) decision-making processes. The lack of inclusion and participation in DRR processes means that the needs and possible contributions of persons living with disabilities are often overlooked by planners and decision makers. They are very frequently excluded from the humanitarian aid they need during and after disasters and also from the recovery programme in the long-term.
People living with disabilities are vulnerable to disasters in many ways. Due to their disabilities they have limited movement and access to communication, education, health care, shelter, food and work. Family members try to hide disabled persons from the society, as a result they become invisible and in most cases their names never get included in the government data base. Handicap International estimates that in the districts of Gaibandha and Sirajganj approximately 60% of PWDs were overlooked in flood emergency' programme in 2007. PWDs are often part of the poorest groups of people. And the most alarming thing is that the disasters create new impairments and new disabilities. In the recent incidence of Rana Plaza, about 2,500 people were injured and many of them have been disabled permanently.
Without including everyone at all levels of the disaster management cycle, it is not possible to build maximum resilience for all communities. Therefore, active and meaningful participation of PWDs in the planning process, implementation and monitoring of DRR actions must be ensured by enhancing the capacity building programmes at grass root levels. All risk assessment and planning process should be disability inclusive and the data base of persons with disabilities should be available at upazila and district levels so that they do not become invisible or get excluded during an emergency.
Access to information is vital to reduce disaster risks and vulnerability of PWDs. Early warning signals need to be designed and disseminated consistent with the needs and capacities of different disability groups. PWDs, along with all vulnerable groups, should get added attention during search, rescue and evacuation work, and volunteers must be trained and oriented adequately in this regard.
Safety and security of PWDs in the shelters during emergency need to be assured. Comprehensive accessibility and universal design are important concepts that should be incorporated in all DRR and humanitarian action policies, making sure relief operations and structures are fully accessible for all, including persons with disabilities. Accessibility options at existing and new shelters and structures, including reaching the structure, installation of ramps, disability-friendly latrines, and safe drinking water should be guaranteed.
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The writer is National Programme Manager-Disaster Risk Reduction, Christian Aid. E-mail: NNahar@christian-aid.org