ADDC :: Australian Disability & Development Consortium

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As we all commenced the New Year refreshed and  with high expectations ready for the challenges that would face us in 2010, we were all shocked and caught off guard by the devastation that followed the earthquake in Haiti.

ADDC extends its heartfelt sympathy to those affected and requests your support to the many agencies that are collecting funds to provide essential humanitarian relief aid to Haiti.

It is during situations like this and the tsunamis that devastated the Pacific region, that we remind you of the dire circumstances that often face people with disabilities who live in these areas.

People with disabilities are significantly more vulnerable during a disaster. For example, inadequate social interaction and communication during impeding days means they often lack vital information on the situation and are particularly unprepared for the consequences.  They tend to be invisible during emergency evacuations and registration processes and the particular needs that they may have due to the disability are not identified or catered for during emergency situations.

The following are some factors which make people with disabilities vulnerable during emergency situations:

• PwD often are invisible during emergency registering and first contact aid situations
• PwD often lack awareness of the situation and find it more difficult to comprehend the expected consequence of the disaster
• The situation can often be misinterpreted due to communication difficulties
• PwD are often excluded from disaster response efforts and particularly are particularly affected by change in terrain from disaster.
• PwD are often unable to access rescue and evacuation services including adequate shelter, water and sanitation
• The emotional trauma and distress caused by a crisis situation often has longer term consequences for PwD.  (Source HI)

There are many methods that can be used to minimize the negative impact of disaster on Pwd. However, the most significant and effective method is to include PwD in the emergency response teams. Mainstreaming Pwd into the emergency response systems aims to address PwD are addressed at every stakeholder level.