ADDC :: Australian Disability & Development Consortium

Emergencies disproportionately place people with disabilities (PwDs) in vulnerable situations, and can create an insecure environment resulting in new disabilities. During emergency responses, PwDs are often invisible and excluded from accessing emergency support and essential services, such as medical care and water and sanitation facilities (WATSAN). Environmental, societal and attitudinal barriers, result in PwDs needs not being met, causing extensive and long-term consequences [1].

What makes PWD more vulnerable during emergencies?

• PwDs tend to be invisible in emergency registration systems.
• Lack of access to information is may mean PwDs find it difficult to comprehend the consequences of emergencies.
• PwDs are often excluded from emergency response efforts and are particularly affected by changes in terrain resulting from emergencies.
• Because of inadequate physical accessibility, lack of assistance and loss/lack of mobility aids, PwDs are deprived of rescue and evacuation services, relief access, safe location/adequate shelter, WATSAN facilities and other essential services.
• Emotional distress and trauma caused by an emergency often has long-term consequences for PwDs [2]

Publications & Resources

Information Updates & Press Releases

• ADDC:
  Landmine Press Release
• ADDC:
  ‘International Day for Mine Awareness’ and ‘Landmine Clearance Critical to Boost Iraqi Economy’

Fact Sheets

• World Bank:
  Mental Health and Conflict (2003)
• World Health Organisation (WHO):
  Disasters, Disability and Rehabilitation (2005)
• Christian Blind Mission International (CBMI):
  Field Accountability Briefing: Disaster Response and Disabled Access

Manuals

• Helpage International:
  Older people in disasters and humanitarian crises: Guidelines for best practice (2005)
• Handicap International:
  How to Include Disability Issues in Disaster Management (Following Floods 2004 in Bangladesh) (2005)
• Academy for Disaster Management Education Planning and Training (ADEPT):
  Disaster Psychological Response: Handbook for Community Counsellor Trainers

Reports

• Christian Blind Mission (CBM):
  Looking with a Disability Lens at the Disaster Caused By the Tsunami in South-East Asia (2005)
• Disability Knowledge and Research (Disability KaR):
  Disability in Conflict and Emergency Situations: Focus on Tsunami-affected Areas (2005)
• International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC):
  Disability and Conflict Seminar Report (2000)

Links

• Handicap International:
  www.handicap-international.org/index.html
• Centre for International Mental Health:
  The Centre for International Mental Health (CIMH) is dedicated to research, teaching and policy reform in the field of mental health, in Australia and the broader international community. The two main areas of work are in capacity development for mental health in low-income and post-conflict societies, and the development of mental health services for multicultural societies
• Humanitarian Accountability Partnership:
  Promoting accountability to main beneficiaries

[Click here for other disability & development links]

References

1. WHO, Disasters, Disability and Rehabilitation, D.o.I.a.V. Prevention, Editor. 2005, WHO: Geneva.
2. Handicap International, How to Include Disability Issues in Disaster Management: Following Floods 2004 in Bangladesh. 2005, Handicap International: Bangladesh.