UNISDR wants to find out how persons with disabilities cope during disasters

The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) recently launched a survey to find out how persons with disabilities cope during disasters and to help ensure disability is included in post-2015 development agenda on disaster risk reduction. The survey covers the types of hazards and risks that persons with disabilities are exposed to in disaster zones, as well as personal and national plans for action and risk reduction.

UNISDR wants to find out how persons with disabilities cope during disasters
etr The United Nations is a group of countries
which supports the rights of all people. 

It is looking for good examples of how
to support persons with disabilities during disasters.
It also wants to make sure that persons with disabilities
can support their community during disasters.

Persons with disabilities can give their views

on this until 25 September.

The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) recently launched a survey to find out how persons with disabilities cope during disasters and to help ensure disability is included in post-2015 development agenda on disaster risk reduction.  The survey covers the types of hazards and risks that persons with disabilities are exposed to in disaster zones, as well as personal and national plans for action and risk reduction.

Findings from the survey and other information gathered during the observation of the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) will be used to influence the remaining two years of the Hydogo Framework for Action (HFA), the global disaster risk reduction plan and also the post HFA consultations which began in March 2012.

This survey is intended only for persons with disabilities and caregivers and will run until the 25 September 2013. The results will be announced on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) on 13 October 2013. The UNISDR is working closely with UN ENABLE, the Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Network for Asia and the Pacific (DiDRRN) and other partners on implementing the survey.   “The survey will focus on a major blind spot in disaster management, the needs of the one billion or more people estimated to live with some form of disability. We can expect that as many as 30 million people living with a disability are affected during an average year by earthquakes and weather-related hazards,” said Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The survey is a first step aimed at establishing databases for science-based ways to address gaps on the vulnerability of persons with disabilities and to recognise their capacities during disasters which can then be translated into action-based focused policies, said Philipp Danao, coordinator of disaster risk reduction at Malteser International, a relief agency.

The online survey highlights issues such as the ability to protect oneself from a disaster event and having sufficient time to evacuate before a possible disaster. It further asks questions about awareness and participation in disaster management plans at national and local level.

This year’s IDDR aims to ascertain the needs of persons with disabilities during disasters. Persons with disabilities as well as society at large can get involved by expressing concerns, needs and recommendations on the International Day web page to help enhance the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) – the global disaster risk reduction plan that was adopted in 2005 for 10 years. The goal is a post 2015 Framework that is more disability inclusive.

The HFA aims to substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015 by building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters. The HFA identifies five priority areas for action:

  • Ensure that disaster risk reduction (DRR) is a national and a local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation
  • Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning
  • Use education and innovation to build a culture of resilience at all levels
  • Reduce the underlying risk factors by ensuring sustainable ecosystems and environmental management
  • Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels

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