WORKING SESSION
Proactive Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Inclusive Disaster Risk
Reduction for All
Brief & Concept Note
Brief
1. Why is this topic important?
Over 15% of the world population or approximately 1 billion persons live with disabilities. When
compared to the general population, persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected in
disaster, emergency, and conflict situations due to inaccessible evacuation, response and
recovery efforts and face a higher risk in emergency situations. Available data reveals that the
mortality rate of the population with disabilities is two to four times higher than that of the
population without disabilities in many disaster situations.1 Further recent disasters such as the
Haiti earthquake in January 2010 revealed that approximately 200,000 survivors of the
earthquake are expected to live with long-term disabilities as a result of injuries.2 Despite being
at high risk of being affected by natural and man-made hazards, the specific concerns and
capacities of persons with disabilities are often ‘invisible’ and not appropriately integrated into
disaster risk reduction (DRR) progammes. This is substantiated by the recent UNISDR survey of
people with disabilities globally3 that revealed that persons with disabilities are rarely consulted
about their evacuation needs.
1
UNESCAP, Rehabilitation International (RI) and the Nippon Foundation, “Sendai Statement to Promote Disability-inclusive
Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilient, Inclusive and equitable Societies in Asia and the Pacific” (24 April 2014).
United Nations, “Disability, Natural Disasters and Emergency Situations”
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1546: viewed on 22 Dec. 2014
2
3
UNISDR: “UN global survey explains why so many people living with disabilities die in disasters” media report published on 13,
Oct, 2013: <http://www.unisdr.org/archive/35032>: viewed on 23 Nov, 2014
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The 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities brought a shift
on how persons with disabilities are viewed, from “object” of charity to “subjects” with rights,”
and active member of society capable of making their own decisions. Article 11 of the
convention obliges all States Parties to take all necessary measures to protect persons with
disabilities in situations of risk4. Articles 3, 9 and 21promote accessibility and Article 32
proposes inclusion in development and resilience building processes.
However, over the past decade there have been some notable steps in advancing disability
inclusive DRR in many parts of the world. For instance, Member States and their partners in
Asia and Pacific region adopted the Incheon Strategy, in which its Goal 7 recognizes that
participation of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts at different
levels can minimize risk and damage when disaster occurs.5 In April 2014 the Asia Pacific
conference on disability and disaster risk reduction took place in Sendai and the “Sendai
Statement” highlights the importance of engaging persons with disabilities and DPO to plan and
implement DRR policies and strategies.6
Furthermore, DRR regional platforms in Asia-Pacific, America, Africa and Europe as well as the
Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2013 have included disability in their outcomes
documents paving the way towards a disability inclusive post-2015 framework for disaster risk
reduction.7
Today throughout the different post-2015 framework developments, persons with disabilities
are visible and their needs and opinion are taken into consideration.
Disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction is still in its nascent stage. The Third UN World
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will be accessible to persons with disabilities and will
therefore facilitate meaningful participation. Up to now the negotiation process and the
framework are the first one to ensure that persons with disabilities have a voice for themselves
through the setup of a disability stakeholders group having equal opportunity to speak and
contribute as the other Major Groups represented in the discussions.
There are many good practices documented that demonstrate the added value of considering
persons with disability as an important stakeholders in designing, implementing and monitoring
disaster risk reduction projects and policies. Governments, civil society organisations and other
stakeholders have now understood the role that organisations of persons with disabilities have
4
United Nations: Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. New York. United Nations (2008).
UNESCAP (2012): Incheon Strategy “Make the right real for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific” Bangkok, United
Nations
6 UNESCAP, Rehabilitation International (RI) and the Nippon Foundation, “Sendai Statement to Promote Disability-inclusive
Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilient, Inclusive and equitable Societies in Asia and the Pacific” (24 April 2014).
5
7
Asia – Pacific 2012: http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/32111; Global Platform for Disaster Risk
Reduction 2013: http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/2013/?pid:47&pil:1; Africa Regional Platform
2014: http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/events/35308; Asia-Pacific 2014: http://6thamcdrrthailand.net/6thamcdrr/Outcome-Documents ; Europe 2014: Milan Ministerial Outcome Document:
http://www.preventionweb.net/files/38378_europeandrrministerialstatement.pdf and European Regional
Platform 2014: http://www.preventionweb.net/files/39715_madridouctomes.pdf .
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to play, consider them as equal partners and are keen to commit in implementing a truly
inclusive post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.
2. What gaps need to be addressed?
As the United Nations is designing a global development agenda around sustainable
development beyond 2015, the ongoing negotiation processes around the post-2015
framework for disaster risk reduction and the Climate Change agreements, all form parts of
inclusive post-2015 development agenda, and provide a historic opportunity to advance
disability inclusion in development. The General Assembly has reiterated that it is impossible to
genuinely achieve internationally agreed development agendas, including the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), without incorporating the rights, well-being and perspective of
persons with disabilities in development efforts at all levels.
The international community reaffirmed their commitments, at the UN High-level meeting of
the General Assembly on disability and development (HLMDD) in 2013, to inclusion of persons
with disabilities in post-2015 development frameworks, including in Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Outcome Document of the HLMDD specifically urges Member States to take actions “to
continue to strengthen the inclusion of and focus on the needs of persons with disabilities in
humanitarian programming and response, and include accessibility and rehabilitation as
essential components in all aspects and stages of humanitarian response, inter alia, by
strengthening preparedness and disaster risk reduction.”8
Furthermore, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, 2006)9 is a
key instrument to promote disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction and a great opportunity
for building resilient society. It requires investment in infrastructure development that
incorporates principles of universal design, that will benefit to all, with particular attention to
the following but not only: general infrastructure development, risk assessment, preparedness
planning, drills, early warning systems, search and rescue systems, emergency shelters, and
temporary housing. Those investments and measures will increase the chances of survival and
the resilience of all persons in a community and minimises collective damage and loss. Further
it requires provision of reasonable accommodation10 to people with disabilities, in all phases of
disaster risk reduction.11
8
RES/A/68/3
10
CRPD, article 2: reasonable accommodation: http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml
11
Asia Pacific meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction: Sendai Statement to Promote DIDRR for resilient, inclusive, and
equitable Societies in the Asia Pacific: http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/resource/sendaioutcome140424en.html
(viewed on 24 Dec 2014)
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In spite of advances in the international normative framework on disability, a gap between
policy and practice continues to exist. Persons with disabilities remain invisible and are often
not included in mainstream development frameworks, such as the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). Persons with disabilities and their
families continue to be represented within the poorest, isolated, and neglected part of the
community.
Often in the global, regional and national debates persons with disabilities are more often
addressed as requiring support rather than as being right holders capable of contributing to the
risk reduction planning. It will require a change of attitudes and mind-set to ensure the active
inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in planning, implementation and
monitoring of disaster risk management programs.
In relation to implementation of accessibility and universal design, in many developing
countries, standards and building codes still do not include accessibility requirements.
Moreover national regulatory framework supporting universal design and reasonable
accommodation is absent in majority of the countries. Overall, there is a need to further raise
public awareness of the importance of disability inclusion and investment in improvement of
environmental accessibility, since accessibility significantly contributes to inclusive and
sustainable development and DRR.
3. What (new) commitments are expected to be achieved?
The world is gearing up for the post-2015 development agenda. The General Assembly HLMDD
on 23 September 2013 adopted the outcome document to advance an inclusive development
agenda for the post-2015 global development framework. The Third UN World Conference on
Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) will build on the progress made through the implementation
of the Hyogo Framework for Action: 2005-2015 (HFA) and adopt the post-2015 framework for
DRR. The negotiation process has already demonstrated a strong commitment and willingness
towards an all-inclusive DRR approach and in particular was inclusive of persons with disabilities
through the recognition of persons with disability being an important stakeholder group
throughout the process.
The successful implementation of a disability inclusive DRR framework as well as the increased
resilience of community will require diverse forms of multi-stakeholder partnerships including
partnership with organisation of persons with disabilities. It is key to remember that persons
with disabilities have talents and are willing to contribute to their community it is a wide
untapped resource that could increase resilience of communities if considered.
More specifically, there are some key initial expectations from the perspectives of persons with
disabilities for the countries while implementing DRR to consider:
a. Active contribution and meaningful participation of all
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Persons with disabilities and their representative organisations have been recognised as
important stakeholder group in the post-2015 framework for DRR discussion. They are willing
to uphold this role towards the implementation of the framework. They are capable and willing
to participate in and contribute to the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and
evaluation of DRR and the post-2015 development agenda and processes. One aspect in this
regard is to improve accessibility and overcome physical and information barriers. In addition,
inclusive risk reduction strategies and efforts shall be in place to reduce the vulnerability,
mitigate the impact of disasters and loss of life, reduce risk and build up resilience by enhancing
the capacities of all individuals, communities and institutions.
b. Equity and inclusion
Equity and inclusion are of central concern to the post-2015 agenda. Equitable access to DRR
and development policies, practices and processes contributes to the increased resilience of all.
Greater resilience for all is inherently linked with the improved socio-economic security of
individuals and communities. This in turn contributes to the sustainability of development.
Persons with disabilities collectively benefit from a rich experience of practical problem solving
skills and capacities and can, and will, apply these skills and experiences towards achieving
greater inclusion and equity post-2015 to the benefit of all.
c. People-centered, non-discriminatory and rights-based
Within the post-2015 framework for DRR and development frameworks, it is essential that
institutional frameworks and policies are built upon the lived experiences, concerns and
solutions of those at-risk. A people centered approach must be non-discriminatory and requires
the alignment with key international Human Rights instruments and the principles enshrined
within the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
d. Education and access to information
Disability stakeholders emphasize the concern that access to information and knowledge that
may positively contribute to resilient-development is uneven and inequitable. Access to
information is essential to ensuring safety and survival in a disaster situation and yet DRR
education, outreach and early warnings systems remain inaccessible. In this regard, there has
been a need to focus on the information content, formats and also its timely delivery to them
so to enable informed participation and contribution. Through contributing practical accessible
solutions to information access and the fostering of knowledge, disability stakeholders can
contribute to building informed and collective resilience for all. Persons with disabilities
organisations are good resources and their expertise will improve access to information to
everyone
e. Strengthen evidence-based information, data and knowledge base on persons with
disabilities
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Risk management, similar to other policy concerns, relies on having appropriate information
and knowledge to make informed decisions and take effective action. Disaggregated data shall
and can be collected according to the diversity of persons with disabilities. Capacity-building
and institutional arrangements need to be reinforced in both disability and disaster risk
reduction areas through multi-stakeholders partnerships.
Further, national governments should collaborate with persons with disabilities and their
representative organisations to implement and define existing and new commitments:
I. Contribute to fostering inter-ministerial, inter-departmental and multi-sectoral
engagement to ensure that disability-inclusive DRR is mandated and implemented at the
national and the community level.
II. Empower persons with disabilities, and their representative organisations, to actively
participate in, and contribute to, the development and monitoring of disaster risk
reduction plans, programmes and actions.
III. Promote and implement the principles of accessible and universal design, in combination
with assistive technology development and reasonable accommodation, to ensure the
delivery of risk reduction related infrastructure establishment and service delivery for
equal participation of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction.
Strengthen community-based inclusive DRR initiatives to empower all persons with disabilities,
including women, children and older persons, to realise their full participation in, and
contribution to, all phases of disaster risk reduction within their communities.
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Concept Note
Schedule
Tuesday 17 March 2015, 16:00 -17:30
Room and Venue
Exhibition Hall 1, Sendai International Conference Centre
Organizing Team
Mr. Matthew Rodieck
Rehabilitation International
Netherlands
matthew.rodieck@yahoo.co.uk
+31 065 020 2180
Ms. Tchaurea Fleury
International Disability Alliance
Geneva, Switzerland
tfleury@ida-secretariat.org
Office: +41 227 884 273
Mobile: +41 797 642 947
Ms. Valerie Scherrer
Disability-inclusive DRR Network
Brussels, Belgium
valerie.scherrer@cbm.org
Office: +32(0)2.275.02.58
Mobile: +32(0)470.99.05.82
Mr. Hiroshi Kawamura
The Nippon Foundation
Tokyo, Japan
hkawa@atdo.jp
UNISDR Focal Points
Jerry Velasquez [Head]
Geneva, Switzerland
velasquezg@un.org
isdr.jerry@gmail.com
Office: +41 22 917 8901
Mobile: +41 79 217 3060
Tomoko Takeda
Geneva, Switzerland
takeda@un.org
Office: +41 22 917 82 86
Mobile: +41 76 691 0219
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Stefanie Dannenmann-Di Palma
Brussels, Belgium
dannenmann@un.org
Office: +32 (0)2 290 2589
Biljana Markova
Brussels, Belgium
markova@un.org
Office: +32 (0) 22 902 586
Background and
Rationale
The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will
be held from 14 to 18 March 2015 in Sendai City, Japan. The
Conference aims to complete the assessment and review of the
implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action, adopt a
post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction, and identify
modalities of cooperation based on commitments to implement
the new post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.
The Conference’s programme of work includes an InterGovernmental Segment, Multi-Stakeholder Segment and Public
Forums.
The Multi-Stakeholder Segment is an interactive part of the
conference in which accredited stakeholders are welcome to
contribute to the official discussions. The Multi-Stakeholder
Segment includes: Working Sessions, Ignite Stage, Study Tours
and Excursions.
The Working Session on Proactive Participation of Persons with
Disabilities in Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction for All will
contribute to the generation of commitments for implementation
of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.
Session Objectives
This session discusses the positive contribution of persons with
disabilities to the post-2015 Framework for disaster risk reduction
and the necessary requirements to ensure implementation of
disaster risk reduction strategies are inclusive for all.
Through sharing of good practices and lessons learned, the
session will draw clear and practical recommendations to
facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster risk
reduction at all levels, which is crucial for strengthening the
resilience of society.
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Example of specific indicators to measure implementation of
disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction will be shared with the
audience. Through dialogues and discussions, the session will also
strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships between civil society
organizations, particularly organizations of persons with
disabilities, governments, the private sector and other
stakeholders.
Discussion agenda and
structure
1. Introduction and welcoming remarks
2. Opening by Nippon Foundation
3. Setting the scene: Short video: The disability caucus has
called for members existing Video on Disability inclusive
DRR. As a result more than 100 video were shared. The
objective is to highlight good example of persons with
disability contribution in disability inclusive DRR.
4. Panel Introduction
Experience from inclusive Sustainable
Development Goals/ disaster risk reduction
discussion and implementation through
successful policy on DRR including persons with
disabilities
Example of contribution from and participation of
persons with disabilities in DRR implementation –
presented by 5 persons
Critical steps and requirement to ensure
meaningful participation and contribution of
persons with disabilities in Disaster Risk
Reduction policies, implementation and
monitoring
Key requirements to ensure inclusive disaster risk
reduction implementation from an international
cooperation perspectives
Outreach Campaign video “Inclusion Saves Lives”
(DESA, UNISDR and Disability-inclusive Disaster
Risk Reduction Network)
5. Interactive guided discussion
Guiding Questions:
i. What is required at the policy level to include persons
with disabilities in all stages of disaster prevention,
preparedness and response?
ii. What types of partnerships and networks need to
support disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction?
How can these be sought and used effectively?
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iii. What role and responsibility do you think the
disability sector can take in making the inclusion of
persons with disabilities in the implementation of the
post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction and
Sustainable Development Goals 1.5 a reality?
iv. How can we collect, measure, monitor and evaluate
inclusiveness of the implementation of the Post-2015
framework for Disaster Risk Reduction targets and
indicators (such as disaster losses data) concerning
persons with disabilities?
6. Call for actions and new partnerships towards
implementation of the post-2015 framework for disaster
risk reduction and disability- inclusive disaster risk
reduction
7. Wrap up and conclusion by the moderator
Expected outcomes




Commitment / special
announcement in
support of a post-2015
framework for DRR
•
•
Share knowledge and expertise of persons with disabilities
and raise global awareness of persons with disabilities as
active participants and decision-makers in disaster risk
reduction activities at all levels.
Foster concrete commitments to include persons with
disabilities in disaster risk reduction policy and activities at all
levels to initiate new partnerships and collaboration.
Develop a set of concrete and practical recommendations for
disability-inclusive implementation of the post-2015
framework for disaster risk reduction, in particular on HFA
priority 4 (reduce underlying risk factors) and Sustainable
Development Goals 1.5 as relevant to persons with
disabilities.
Propose and discuss indicators for the inclusion of persons
with disabilities in disaster risk reduction activities at all levels.
Organizations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) to
strengthen partnerships with government, private sector and
other groups to provide expertise and knowledge in
disability-related issues and to contribute to reducing risks to
the whole community.
Encourage governments and societies to partner with the
different stakeholder groups to accelerate a shift in
perception and attitudes, as well as the provision of training
and dissemination of tools to promote inclusion of persons
with disabilities.
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•
Organizations of persons with disabilities will actively
participate in, and report on, the monitoring of disaster risk
reduction plans, programmes and actions.
Foster inter-ministerial, inter-departmental and multisectoral engagement to ensure that disability-inclusive
disaster risk reduction is mandated and implemented.
Extend the principles of universal design, in combination with
assistive technology development and reasonable
accommodation, to ensure the delivery of risk reduction
related infrastructure establishment and service delivery for
equal participation of persons with disabilities at all levels of
disaster risk reduction.
Strengthen community-based inclusive DRR initiatives to
empower all persons with disabilities to realise their full
participation in, and contribution to, all phases of disaster
risk reduction within their communities.
•
•
•
Expected number of
participants
300
Background
documents
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Outcome Document of the High-Level Meeting of the
General Assembly on the realization of the Millennium
Development Goals and other internationally agreed
development goals for persons with disabilities: the way
forward, a disability-inclusive development agenda towards
2015 and beyond (United Nations General Assembly High
Level Meeting on Disability and DevelopmentHLMDD)(A/RES/68/3)
United Nations General Assembly resolution (A/69/187)
Realization of the Millennium Development Goals and other
internationally agreed development goals for persons with
disabilities: a disability-inclusive development agenda towards
2015 and beyond ( see
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=36)
UNDESA, Outcome of the UN Panel Discussion on Disaster
resilience and disability: ensuring equality and inclusion
(http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/reports/iddr2013
_%20panelreport.pdf)
UNESCAP, Outcome of document of the Asia-Pacific Meeting
on Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction, 22-23 April
2014, Sendai, Japan,
http://www.unescapsdd.org/files/documents/DiDRR_Outcom
e-document.pdf
(European Council conclusions on PWDs and DRR – tbc)
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Conclusions and recommendations for inclusion of mental
well-being and disability in post-2015 framework for disaster
risk reduction and beyond from the Expert Group Meeting on
Mental Well-being, Disability and Disaster Risk Reduction, 2728 November 2014 (http://unu.edu/news/news/expertgroup-proposes-action-points-on-mental-well-beingdisabilities-and-disaster-risk-reduction.html()
Council of Europe EUR-OPA toolkit for inclusive disaster risk
management
(http://www.coe.int/en/web/europarisks/conference-onincluding-people-with-disabilities-in-disaster-preparednessand-response)
Council of Europe EUR-OPA Report on the inclusion of people
with disabilities in disaster preparedness and response
(http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/publica
tions/v.php?id=36310)
Council of Europe EUR-OPA Guidelines for assisting people
with disabilities during emergencies, crises and disasters
(http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/publica
tions/v.php?id=36289)
Voice from the field: Disability inclusive Disaster Risk
Management :
http://www.didrrn.net/home/files/5713/8986/4559/Disabilit
y_Inclusive_Disaster_Risk_Management.pdf
Disability inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction : Best Practices
http://www.didrrn.net/home/files/9814/1257/2052/HI_DRR_
good_practices_2014.pdf
Resource page of the Disability inclusive Disaster Risk
Reduction Network : www.didrrn.net
Disability and Disaster Risk Reduction policy primer:
http://www.didrrn.net/home/files/7813/9987/7218/DiDRRN
_policy_primer_130314_1.pdf
UNCRPD Committee Statement on Disability Inclusion in the
Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and
Beyond - See more at:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.a
spx?NewsID=15184&LangID=E#sthash.iCzT23aN.dpuf
Post-15 Disaster Risk Reduction Framework – CBM policy
brief : http://www.cbm.org/article/downloads/115203/Post2015-DRR-framework-Policy-Brief-CBM.pdf
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