Attachments
The inclusion of persons with disabilities and most vulnerable people in an emergency response is considered a core component of principled and effective humanitarian action. It relates to the humanitarian principles of humanity and impartiality, as well as to the human rights principles of equity and non-discrimination. It ensures that people who are most at risk of exclusion have access to humanitarian assistance and services which are essential for their survival, protection and recovery.
This access requires deliberate action from the humanitarian community. Persons with disabilities must access life-saving service or else their lives are at risk:
- Persons with disabilities and their families are disproportionately impacted by natural disasters and conflicts. They can face more risks to their life and wellbeing during an emergency because they face more barriers when escaping or mitigating dangerous situations, including, for example, being informed about dangers or knowing where to escape to for safety.
- Moreover, persons with disabilities often face barriers and/or abuse when attempting to access emergency food, shelters, basic and emergency medical care, water and sanitation or makeshift shelters. In addition, natural disasters and conflicts increase the risk for people to acquire impairments or additional impairments; thus, increasing the number of persons with disabilities.
- Despite those heightened risks, the majority of humanitarian actors struggle to provide accessible humanitarian assistance to persons with disabilities. They are under commitment but lack the capacity to provide inclusive lifesaving services such as food security assistance and protection services such as gender-based violence related services.