Inclusive humanitarian disaster risk reduction

In Uganda, the work of our partner NUWODU focuses on the Kasese district in the west of the country. Natural disasters such as floods, droughts and landslides occur frequently here, so many governmental and non-governmental actors have already taken disaster risk reduction measures. However, people with disabilities have hardly been included in the planning of these measures and their needs have rarely been taken into account. This can have devastating consequences: For example, they remain excluded from the distribution of relief supplies and other humanitarian aid because barrier-free access to distribution stations is not guaranteed. Nor do they always have access to sanitary facilities or to education and health services, or to appropriate communication of information about impending disasters. Girls and women with disabilities often suffer multiple discrimination and are exposed to particular dangers.

The aim of the project is to reduce the risks faced by people with disabilities in disaster situations. Relevant actors at the global level and in the eight target countries - in this case, Uganda - are to apply inclusive approaches to the planning and implementation of humanitarian assistance and disaster risk reduction. It also aims to build the resilience of populations in selected communities, particularly people with disabilities, to external shocks such as natural disasters.

• Trainings for and promotion of national governmental and civil society actors
• Advocacy work at regional and global conferences
• Conduct a study on the state of research and implementation in the field of inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian assistance and disaster risk reduction
• Identify relevant research and policy gaps and implementation deficits