Disability Inclusion Policy Brief Gap analysis on disability-inclusive humanitarian action in the Pacific
2017 Disability Inclusion Policy Brief 2017 Pacific Disability Forum CBM New Zealand Kadavu House Unit B, 112 Bush Road Victoria Parade, Suva Albany, Auckland 0632 Fiji Islands New Zealand www.pacificdisability.org www.cbmnz.org.nz
January 2018 Produced by the Pacific Disability Forum and CBM New Zealand.
CBM & PDF (2017) Disability Inclusion Policy Brief: Gap analysis on disability-inclusive humanitarian action in the Pacific.
This policy brief has been prepared by Valérie are grateful to each of the representatives Scherrer, lead advisor, with support from of the DPOs across the Pacific and the New Linabel Hadlee of CBM New Zealand and Zealand based NGOs that offered their time Katabwena Tawaka of the Pacific Disability participating in the surveys and focus groups Forum, as an outcome of the partnership with for the validation of information to prepare the New Zealand Aid Programme on ‘2017 this policy brief. Disability Inclusion - Gap Analysis in relation The authors encourage the use of the to disability-inclusive emergency response in contents of this publication by other the Pacific’. Strategic guidance was provided organisations provided it is not altered in by Louise Searle from the Humanitarian a way that could mislead readers. All the Division of the New Zealand Ministry of text and photographic material used in this Foreign Affairs and Trade. Thanks also to the publication are protected by copyright. Any study team comprised by Md Al Imran and change in content requires the prior consent Karen Jack of CBM New Zealand and of the authors. the technical input and support received by CBM Emergency Response Unit, particularly This publication has been produced Tushar Wali and Giulia David. Special thanks with support from the New Zealand Aid to the Pacific Disability Forum team for their Programme in its ongoing effort to promote support on data collection and insights during humanitarian response that is inclusive of the process. persons with disabilities in Pacific countries, The Pacific Disability Forum, the Humanitarian however, the views in this publication do Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and not necessarily reflect those of the Trade, New Zealand, and CBM New Zealand New Zealand Government.
2 Disability Inclusion Policy Brief 2017 Contents
Background 4 Introduction 4 Purpose 6 Scope 6 Approach 7 Methodology 7
Discussion Case Study 1: Tropical Cyclone Pam 8 Case Study 2: Tropical Cyclone Winston 10 Case Study 3: Evacuation from Ambae 12
Findings and Implications Non-discrimination 14 Participation 16 Inclusive Policy 17 Inclusive Response and Services 18 Cooperation and Coordination 19
Priority Actions Overarching Priorities 20 Disaster Readiness 21 Humanitarian and Disaster Response 22 Recovery 22
End Notes 23
Disability Inclusion Policy Brief 2017 3 Background Introduction
It is estimated that one billion people with core component of principled and effective disabilities1 are disproportionately affected humanitarian action. It is based not only on by humanitarian crises. Worldwide, 85% of the humanitarian principles of humanity and humanitarian actors consider persons with impartiality, but also on the human rights disabilities to be more vulnerable in times principles of equity and non-discrimination. of crisis, yet 92% estimate that persons Most recently, the Charter on Inclusion of with disabilities are not properly accounted Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian for during current humanitarian responses.2 Action has been endorsed at the World Article 11 of the United Nations Convention Humanitarian Summit in 2016. The Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a commitment to render humanitarian 2006 (UNCRPD) makes specific reference to action inclusive of persons with disabilities addressing the needs, safety and protection by: removing barriers persons with of persons with disabilities in situations disabilities face to accessing relief, protection of risk and humanitarian emergency. and recovery support; and ensuring active Article 32 of the Convention requires that participation in the development, planning international cooperation including disaster and implementation of humanitarian relief, emergency response and disaster programmes. risk reduction (DRR) programmes, are inclusive and accessible to persons with The Pacific is experiencing increasingly disabilities. The Sendai Framework for frequent and more severe natural disasters Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-30 and the more than any other region in the world. A Paris Climate Change Agreement adopted in Category 5 cyclone, Tropical Cyclone Pam, 2015 both identify persons with disabilities hit Vanuatu in 2015 – it was the largest in as key stakeholders that must be included the Pacific in 30 years. The following year and empowered to participate and take Fiji was struck by Tropical Cyclone Winston leadership in DRR and climate change (also Category 5) - the strongest to make adaptation (CCA) strategies. The Sendai landfall in Fiji and the South Pacific Basin in Framework promotes disability inclusive DRR recorded history. A number of humanitarian as a key element to support sustainable and agencies from New Zealand responded to inclusive development. these two emergency events. Most aimed to include children, girls, women and persons While considerable and commendable with disabilities. However, few were able progress has been made in the United to put in place the necessary interventions Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable to effectively reach and include persons Development3 to include persons with with disabilities in their programmes. disabilities in the development and Persons with disabilities and their family humanitarian agenda, there is still important are disproportionately affected by disasters, work to be done to ensure these global hence facing higher consequent risks. frameworks are translated into action. Not considering those risks in emergency Governments who have made commitments preparedness strains community, society to address the rights of persons with and government capacities to cope with disabilities in humanitarian situations are the impacts of such extreme circumstances in the process of reviewing policies and and challenges the development agenda. developing strategies, plans and programmes Persons with disabilities experience increased that are fully disability inclusive. Ensuring risks due to separation from family, loss of inclusion of persons with disabilities during assistive and mobility devices, and difficulties emergency response must be considered a accessing information among others.
4 Disability Inclusion Policy Brief 2017 MARSHA IS ANDS eok Majuro
FEDERATED STATES Palikir OF MICRONESIA
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