Equality in aid Addressing Caste Discrimination in Humanitarian Response 2 Foreword by Claus H. Sørensen, Director-General, ECHO 3 Introduction 4 Caste-based discrimination in disaster prevention and response 6 International frameworks and state accountability 8 Building on good practices in addressing caste discrimination 12 Conclusion 13 Recommendations 16 Annex · Tools and methods for inclusive programming 18 References 19 Notes 20 About this report September 2013 International Dalit Solidarity Network WORKING GLOBALLY AGAINST CASTE DISCRIMINATION Front page: The village of Ambedkar Nagar in the Indian state of Bihar is inhabited exclusively by Dalits who moved here to escape caste discrimination in their former settlement. The villagers struggle with flooding several months every year. In 2007, when this picture was taken, they survived a week on the roofs of their huts with no food. They received no government aid, a scenario all too typical when Dalits are hit by Foreword humanitarian disasters. EU humanitarian aid is accorded to victims without discrimination Acknowledgements on the grounds of race, ethnic group, religion, sex, age, nationality “Equality in Aid – Addressing Caste or political affiliation, solely according to needs and paying Discrimination in Humanitarian particular attention to the most vulnerable. Response” is an outcome of an EU- The European Commission has demonstrated over the years funded initiative by the International how humanitarian initiatives can effectively address gaps and Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN). inequalities in vulnerability by ensuring that such initiatives The report presents recommendations specifically take into account, and are targeted to, the needs of and specific guidelines to humanitarian excluded persons and groups. Those who are most vulnerable stakeholders on how to prevent caste and marginalised need primary attention when a disaster strikes, discrimination in disaster risk reduction both because the impact of the disaster is likely to be higher on and response. It draws on the findings them than others, and because of the likelihood that they find and recommendations from “Addressing themselves excluded from response and recovery efforts. Caste Discrimination in Humanitarian Response” – a comprehensive case By systematically addressing in each action the inclusion of those study by National Dalit Watch-National who are marginalised (in particular, persons affected by caste Campaign on Dalit Human Rights and discrimination, minorities, as well as persons with disabilities, partnering organisations in India in women, and the elderly), lives have been saved, the suffering of 2012. The remarkable work of these those in need has been alleviated, and their dignity protected. organisations, agencies and activists is acknowledged with appreciation. More remains to be done to ensure that equality in humanitarian response overall is achieved. I would like to commend the The briefing has also benefited from International Dalit Solidarity Network for having identified clear the insights of humanitarian aid, human rights and development professionals, recommendations for how to achieve this in the context of caste as well as researchers, who commented discrimination, which can feed into identifying appropriate tools on the draft report. Special thanks are and methodologies for inclusive programming. due to Katherine Nightingale as the main author of the report and to Lee Claus H. Sørensen Macqueen, Prasad Chacko, Tim Gill, Director-General Tudor Silva, Samuel Marie-Fanon, Anand European Commission Bolimera Kumar and Katia Chirizzi for Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection their advice. (ECHO) The International Dalit Solidarity Network is grateful for the financial support provided by the European Union and DanChurchAid to the project and acknowledges the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) for its constructive engagement in the process. Rikke Nöhrlind Coordinator, International Dalit Solidarity Network 2 3 Introduction Disasters do not affect everyone equally. People who are most and policies, discriminatory practices remain ingrained in society, as vulnerable and exposed to natural and man-made hazards are hit implementation continues to be inconsistent and often extremely hardest when disaster strikes. Without proper attention the same weak. This failure to meaningfully uphold laws and to adhere to structures and systems that make them vulnerable and exposed national and international provisions on non-discrimination not only can leave them marginalised or excluded from emergency aid and makes Dalits more vulnerable to disasters, but also impacts on their recovery. access to aid and recovery in emergency response. This is a significant lesson that has been learned from emergency While the state is the primary duty bearer in fulfilling human rights responses in South Asia and beyond. Experience from the 2001 obligations within its borders, also in disaster situations, NGOs, UN Gujarat earthquake, the 2004 Asian Tsunami, and the flooding in agencies and international donors assisting in disaster risk reduction Nepal in 2008, the Indian states of Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and response have a responsibility to respect human rights and Assam during 2007-2009, and Pakistan in 20101 has shown obligations. An adequate response to such obligations includes that Dalits – the so-called ‘untouchables’ at the bottom of the caste addressing caste-based discrimination. Therefore all stakeholders system – are frequently the worst affected. Nevertheless, they are involved in providing humanitarian assistance in caste-affected often systematically excluded from relief and recovery efforts due to countries are called upon to follow the recommendations and their inherent socio-economic vulnerability. guidelines outlined in this report. Caste-based discrimination, in UN terminology also recognised as Caste discrimination is a violation of international human rights discrimination based on work and descent2, results from hierarchical law, inherently contradicting the universal principles of non- caste systems that practise discrimination and exclusion founded discrimination, dignity and equality. UN human rights bodies on notions of purity, pollution and graded inequality. Caste-based continuously raise their concerns and urge governments to take discrimination is widespread in South Asia, but exists across the action in accordance with the draft UN guidelines for the elimination globe in countries like Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Yemen and Japan of caste discrimination, which also stipulate specific measures to with 260 million people reportedly affected worldwide. Due to their address the problem in situations of humanitarian crises.6 inherited social status, Dalits and similarly affected people continue This form of discrimination is also directly contrary to the to be exposed to a wide range of human rights violations and humanitarian principles of impartiality, humanity, neutrality and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.3 independence that underpin the standards for international The Dalits of South Asia constitute the majority of victims facing this humanitarian aid. Despite this, however, efforts by humanitarian form of structural discrimination, which leads to marginalisation, actors involved in preventing and responding to disasters have social and economic exclusion and limited access to basic services, failed to adequately address caste discrimination in disaster including water and sanitation. Discriminatory practices include prevention, response and recovery. In order to understand why physical and social segregation, restrictions on occupation or and how this continues to be the case, a comprehensive study was enforcement of certain types of menial jobs as well as widespread undertaken by National Dalit Watch to investigate the nature, causes caste-based violence. and consequences of caste-based discrimination in emergency assistance, and develop recommendations. Dalits are more vulnerable to both natural and human-made disasters compared to non-Dalits due to their marginalised social position; the The research process included a review of studies from emergency location of their homes, usually in marginal lands in the periphery flood responses across India from 2007-20107, an in-depth case of settlements; their vulnerable occupations, such as rubbish and study on disaster prevention and response in India8, two national sewage disposal, casual farm labour and lagoon fishing; and the consultations organised by the National Campaign on Dalit Human nature of their housing – Dalits often have little or no land rights. Rights and Sphere India in 2010 and 20119, and a workshop on the topic at an international consultation on good practices and Evidence from Sri Lanka has highlighted that this vulnerability may strategies to eliminate caste-based discrimination, organised by the also apply to man-made disasters like displacement due to conflict, International Dalit Solidarity Network in December 2011.10 where the majority of long-term IDPs unable to escape cycles of poverty and displacement dependence were lower castes subjected This report presents the findings of this research into the effect to historic caste exclusion.4 of caste-based discrimination in humanitarian aid and why it continues to be a consistent problem in emergency programming. It is also evident from case studies that where policies