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Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction

A vibrant gathering of women, including women with disabilities in traditional African attire poses with an assortment of fresh produce and cooking utensils. They appear to be in a garden or farm setting, celebrating or participating in a communal activity related to food preparation or harvest. Photo credits: Praise Nutakor, UNDP Ghana.
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For more information, please contact:
Ms Ioana Creitaru, [email protected].

Persons with disabilities and disaster risk

UNDP is committed to achieving transformative and lasting change for persons with disabilities.

In the past two decades, there has been a sharp rise in recorded disasters. When a disaster strikes, persons with disabilities often face disproportionate impacts due to attitudinal, environmental and institutional barriers. These barriers hinder the participation of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and impede their access to essential services during times of crisis.

Persons with disabilities make up 16 per cent of the world’s population or approximately 1.3 billion people. Moreover, 80 per cent of persons with disabilities live in the Global South and are often some of the poorest in their communities. The mortality rate among persons with disabilities in some disaster occurrences has been recorded to be two to four times higher compared to persons without disabilities.

Certain subgroups within the disability community, such as women and girls with disabilities, older persons, Indigenous Peoples, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDP) and migrants with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, persons with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities and persons with deaf-blindness, face higher risks of being left behind in DRR and recovery efforts. The limited visibility of these underrepresented groups in decision-making processes often leads to their exclusion from crucial initiatives that impact their lives.

UNDP’s commitment to the disability inclusion agenda

UNDP is guided by its corporate Guidance on Disability-inclusive Development, UNDP contributes to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), including Article 11 for the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk. UNDP’s Crisis Offer aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the UNFCCC Paris Climate Agreement, reinforcing its commitment to an all-of-society approach.

UNDP’s work on disability inclusive disaster risk reduction

UNDP’s disability inclusive disaster risk reduction work recognizes disability inclusion as a fundamental element in building resilient communities and honoring the commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ within the framework of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP promotes inclusive approaches that recognize and address the rights of persons with disabilities and their needs and opportunities in all their diversity. Of particular importance in UNDP’s disability inclusive disaster risk reduction work is institutionalizing disability inclusion and ensuring the full and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities, individually and through their representative organizations, while applying a human rights-based approach across all areas of UNDP's work.

UNDP’s principled approach to disability inclusive disaster risk reduction

The following key elements present a framework for strengthening disability-inclusive initiatives in DRR, recovery and resilience building within UNDP:

  • Embracing a rights-based approach for inclusive, accessible, and equitable DRR and recovery for building resilience
  • Adopting a twin-track approach by mainstreaming disability inclusion and implementing targeted disability-specific interventions to ensure full inclusion in all aspects of DRR and recovery
  • Removing barriers and fostering the meaningful participation and leadership of persons with disabilities as agents of change in risk reduction and recovery
  • Establishing equal partnerships with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities including underrepresented groups to enhance DRR and recovery efforts
  • Utilizing quality disaggregated data and adopting an intersectional approach to improve the understanding of risks
  • Harnessing innovation, technology, and digital solutions to promote accessibility and inclusion in DRR and recovery
Two women enjoying an outdoor event. The woman on the left, in a wheelchair and wearing a "Bahamas Disability Awareness Week" T-shirt, raises her fists joyfully. The woman on the right, in a UNDP polo, smiles and holds up a mask, also with a raised fist. They are surrounded by a festive crowd under a tent. Photo credits: UNDP Multi-Country Office in Jamaica.
Photo credits: UNDP Multi-Country Office in Jamaica

UNDP Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Policy Brief

This UNDP Policy Brief, developed collaboratively with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) through extensive consultations with UNDP practitioners and partners, persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, emphasizes the importance of mainstreaming disability inclusion within UNDP’s disaster risk reduction (DRR) and recovery practice area. It recognizes disability inclusion as a fundamental element in building resilient communities and honouring the commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ within the framework of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The Policy Brief aims to guide UNDP staff and its partners by providing principles and good practices for disability inclusion in DRR and recovery, while promoting inclusive approaches that recognize and address the rights of persons with disabilities and their needs and opportunities in all their diversity. The Policy Brief underlines the importance of institutionalizing disability inclusion within UNDP and ensuring the full and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities, individually and through their representative organizations, while applying a human rights-based approach across all areas of UNDP's work.

 

Photo Competition and Exhibition "Change makers in Action: Building disability inclusive, resilient communities"

The UNDP-OCHA competition aimed to illustrate how communities, individuals, and organizations are contributing towards a resilient, inclusive, and peaceful society and to showcase the role of persons with disabilities as agents of change in resilience building.

The digital exhibition showcases the eight finalists of the UNDP-OCHA photo competition “Change-makers in action: Building disability inclusive, resilient communities” on the occasion of the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

Explore the stories behind the eight finalist photographs chosen by the jury out of a total of 102 photographs submitted by contestants from 23 countries. The submissions were judged on their technical and artistic qualities, as well as the relevance to the theme and the agency conveyed in the photographs.

A group of six people engaged in an activity involving hand gestures near their ears during what appears to be a training session. Among them, two women are wearing black glasses, and a man in a wheelchair is facing the group. They are dressed in a mix of traditional Asian garments and casual wear. Photo credits: UNDP Vietnam.
Photo credits: UNDP Vietnam

 

UNDP Blogs

These blogs highlighted practices showcasing how UNDP and its partners are promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in initiatives for building the resilience of communities and nations to the risks and impacts of disasters and climate change.

The power of inclusion: How UNDP is promoting disability inclusion in its disaster and climate resilience efforts to leave no one behind

This blog explores UNDP’s DX4Resilience project in Indonesia, supported by the Government of Japan, which collaborated with persons with disabilities to develop digital platform for disaster risk assessment using high-quality data that considers disability, sex, age, socio-economic status, and other important identity factors. This approach facilitates a better understanding and effective management of disaster risk.

Leaving no child behind: how UNDP is promoting equality and resilience through its inclusive tsunami preparedness programme

This blog highlights how UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Japan, prepares inclusive risk reduction training in tsunami-prone schools in Thailand through its Strengthening School Preparedness for Tsunami initiative throughout the Asia-Pacific, also known as the “Tsunami Project.” The training has been provided in 24 countries since 2017 and includes students with disabilities and has led to the first-ever National Guidelines for Tsunami Evacuation Plans and Drills in Thailand. These guidelines incorporate disability-inclusive measures for evacuation plans and drills.

We can replace things, but we can’t replace people: protecting lives through inclusive early warning systems in the Bahamas

Early Warning Systems (EWS) typically are not in accessible formats for persons with disabilities, however the AccessAbility App in the Bahamas is changing this. Created as part of the UNDP’s Digital Access for All Bahamas Project and in partnership with the Bahamas National Commission of Persons with Disabilities has accessible features, such as digital disaster alerts from the National Emergency Management Agency, one-touch access to emergency services, and bus route displays and street-by-street movement guidance to help orient affected community members during evacuations.

Beyond disasters: How UNDP is addressing inequality and empowering women with disabilities for a resilient future

Disasters impact women and girls with disabilities differently, and inequalities that exist in society are intensified during and after disasters, creating unequal outcomes. This blog explains how UNDP is working to avert these unequal disaster impacts for women and girls with disabilities through empowerment. Empowering women entails enabling them to recognize their own agency and regain control over their lives.

Breaking barriers, building resilience: How UNDP is supporting inclusive sustainable development in the face of climate change

Persons with disabilities in Ghana are strengthening their community's resilience to climate change, boosting food security and increasing income with the help of the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme.

Our crisis response must include people with disabilities

UNDP is committed to helping governments and partners to be more resilient in a complex and uncertain world. However, we do so knowing well that we don’t have all the answers. Persons with disabilities and their representative organizations are critical to assessing disaster risk and in designing measures tailored to their requirements. This blog explains the importance of UNDP’s promotion of the active involvement of those with disabilities and their representative organizations as full partners in all development initiatives.

What if technological innovation is the future of inclusive early warning systems?

This blog explores how, in an uncertain world of fast-changing hazards, technological innovation can pave the road to a future where every person is protected by an early warning system. We ask, what if technological innovation is the future of inclusive early warning systems?

A group of schoolchildren, attentively seated on the ground, receive first aid training from a trainer. There's also a student with a walker, seated in a chair, listening to the training. A UNDP banner stands in the background. The setting is informal, under a shelter, which suggests a focus on practical, hands-on learning. Photo credits: UNDP Thailand.
Photo credits: UNDP Thailand

UNDP Events on Disability Inclusion

Shaping a Resilient Future for All: Advancing Disability Inclusion for Building Resilience

This event commemorates 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The purpose is to celebrate resilient, disability-inclusive communities and to showcase the role of persons with disabilities as agents of change. Distinguished speakers include representatives from the National Forum of Women with Disabilities in Pakistan, the Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Network, European Disability Forum, Disability Council International, UN Women, UNICEF, and UNDRR.

The event will feature an award ceremony of the finalists of the Photo Competition “Change makers in action: Building disability inclusive, resilient communities” sponsored by UNDP and OCHA and moderated by the humanitarian photographer Daniel Hayduk.

The Future We Create How Innovation Can Advance Disability inclusive Development

This UNDP online event featured three key topics: the application of human-centred design to identify solutions by and for persons with disabilities, the use of social media to deliver last mile services that reach everyone, and successful public-private partnerships delivering technology-savvy solutions for disability-inclusive local development.

Cutting-edge technologies for disability-inclusive early warning and preparedness

This UNDP Development Dialogue provided a platform for an exchange of innovative ideas on early warning technology, and last mile services addressing the specific needs and rights of persons with disabilities to better manage risk and build resilience. The event brought together persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, technology providers, global social media outlets, government, UN agencies and international cooperation partners.

Topics discussed included the application of human-centered design to identify solutions by and for persons with disabilities, the use of collective intelligence through social media to deliver last mile services that reach everyone, successful public-private partnerships delivering technology-savvy solutions for disability-inclusive early warning and preparedness, and ensuring availability of appropriate resources, including assistive devices and support systems in times of a disaster.

 

Corporate UNDP Disability Inclusion Resources

Disability Inclusive Development in UNDP: This Guidance Note elaborates on the institutional and instrumental value of disability inclusive development and the twin frameworks within which we are galvanizing momentum: The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals, which are mutually inclusive. The Guidance Note incorporates a reflection on UNDP’s comparative advantage and the diversity and depth of interventions undertaken by UNDP which is a testimony to the organization’s efforts in supporting disability inclusive development across UNDP’s mandate, both as a means in itself and a catalyst for sustainable human development. Lastly, it delves into pertinent issues of data, programming and innovation and emphasizes efforts to support civic engagement and participation of persons with disabilities and our strategic and dedicated partnerships to support disability inclusion.

Two women in traditional Áo Dài dresses, one green and one red, walk hand in hand with smiles, amongst a group of people in colorful attire at an indoor fashion show. Photo credits: UNDP Vietnam.
Photo credits: UNDP Vietnam

UNDP's Crisis Offer: UNDP helps countries anticipate, prevent, respond to and recover from crisis, every day, and in every development context. As the world experiences rising violent conflict, the impacts of the climate crisis, deepening mistrust in institutions, and the sharpest drop in human development in decades, we are stepping up our crisis offer. Today, we focus on breaking the cycle of fragility, getting ahead of the crisis curve, and investing in hope - from jobs to justice - in times of crisis.

Preparedness Toolkit - Disability-Inclusive Preparedness: The UNDP Preparedness Toolkit is a platform supporting UNDP Country Offices in enhancing their institutional, strategic, and operational capabilities for preparedness, improving the speed and efficiency of their response, and applying foresight to be better prepared for future risks. The UNDP Disability-Inclusive Preparedness module provides guidance to UNDP Country Offices on disability inclusion in their DRR and recovery initiatives. It covers essential concepts, principles, and practical tools, providing valuable resources, knowledge, and emerging good practices from UNDP.

 

Key Disability Inclusion Resources

United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS): The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights, and development. The Strategy enables the UN system to support the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international human rights instruments, as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Agenda for Humanity and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

United Nations Disability-Inclusive Communications Guidelines: The purpose of the Guidelines is to assist UN communications focal points and other UN staff to make all our communications disability inclusive and accessible. Inclusive and accessible communications reduce bias and discrimination and promote inclusion and participation.

United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy, Guidelines on Consulting Persons with Disabilities: The purpose of the Guidelines is to provide guidance on how to consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in all disability-specific and general decision-making processes across the UN’s work, as mandated in the UNDIS’ entity accountability framework and UNCT accountability scorecard, in order to enhance the participation of persons with disabilities to reach programmatic and operational goals and leave no one behind. This document provides guidance on how to make participation of persons with disabilities meaningful.

Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD): The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit, social development dimension. It adopts a broad categorization of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities and identifies areas where adaptations have to be made for persons with disabilities to effectively exercise their rights and areas where their rights have been violated, and where protection of rights must be reinforced.

A young schoolboy, wearing a blue cap with a UNDP logo and a face mask, is seated outdoors attentively examining a pamphlet featuring diagrams and pictures. The setting appears to be educational or informational, possibly part of a disaster risk reduction community awareness program. Photo credits: UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub.
Photo credits: UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub

Country Examples