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Disasters and disabilities: Factors to consider http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Disasters+and+disabilities%3A+Factors+to+consider&NewsID=396886 RATINDRA KHATRI Organizing international programs on one day and forgetting activities throughout the year do not make sense. It is very important to initiate various activities that deliver visible outcomes for the future. Therefore‚ lessons should be learnt from the past and preparations made to deal with disasters with disabled people in view October 13 is the International Day for Disaster Reduction. Every year this day is celebrated as a global event with a different theme to intensify various programs in Disaster Risk Reduction. The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) decided to mark this year for disabled people with the theme “Living with Disability and Disasters”. In the words of Margareta Wahlström, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and head of UNISDR, “The focus of this program is on one billion people around the world who live with some form of disability. Representing one-fifth of the world’s population, people living with disabilities have unique contributions, often overlooked, to help reduce the risk of disasters and build resilient societies and communities”. The aim of this year’s IDDR is to amplify this message especially as the world moves towards 2015, when a new global framework for disaster risk reduction will be adopted. People with disabilities are often overlooked, neglected and forgotten in disaster relief and humanitarian response. As such, it is vital that service providers from all sectors take their needs, concerns and abilities into account when designing and implementing their programs and activities in order to promote access, inclusion and the full participation of persons with disabilities. When we talk about DRR for disabled people, two major aspects must be carefully looked into. First, preventive measures and emergency management of disabled to protect them from the potential disasters and second one is post disaster care and management for existing and new disabled people. Those living with disabilities were underserved in Haiti prior to the earthquake and often eschewed and defamed. The emergency response and reconstruction efforts provide an opportunity to amend past neglect and discrimination and assist people with disabilities to live richer, more dignified lives. Designing interventions in all sectors that take into account the specific needs and abilities of people with disabilities can have an enormous effect on improving their well-being and their protection. In this regard, regrettably we must have to admit that we have not been able to do as much as we were supposed to do in the post-conflict era. Organizing international program in one day and forget activities throughout the year doesn’t make sense. The most important aspect is initiating various activities that deliver visible outcome for the future. Therefore, on the basis of lessons from Haiti, following suggestions are provided for different cluster agencies for effective disaster management of disabled people. Firstly, recognize, locate, register and follow up with people with disabilities. Then identify specific risks, exploitation, neglect and exclusion of people with disabilities within the community. Possible physical and sexual abuse in post disaster to disabled people is also another important aspect to address. After that ensure non-discrimination when providing emergency assistance and promote inclusion of people with disabilities. Make sure that temporary shelters are accessible and provide easy access for people with disabilities to water, toilets and services. Involve people with disabilities, including women, in decisions about the location of latrines, water points and bathing areas in temporary camps and shelters. Make sure that people with disabilities are given priority during food distribution and that arrangements are made for those with mobility impairments to receive their rations. Make sure other essential items at distribution points are accessible to people with disabilities. Give priority to those with disabilities during distribution process. Make sure of full and equal access to health and reproductive health services for those with disabilities. Create temporary and reconstructed schools accessible to children with disabilities. If we initiate above-mentioned aspects right from now, that will help us to enhance capacity for post disaster situation too. Awareness and sensitization program for disabled people is one of the key steps which need to be started without losing time. The action for all humanitarian actors and other cluster agencies must work in coordination to provide necessary support to the disabled, fulfilling all gaps and lapses. All service providers should consult international and local disability organizations as well as persons with disabilities during assessments and during program planning to ensure that their programs provide access and promote inclusion. It needs to be linked with local to national level mainstreaming DRR plans and programs. On the bottom line one shouldn’t forget that ‘Disability is not Inability’. Disabled people may have problems in some kind of ability but their ability on other parts is sometimes even better than other people. Therefore, they shouldn’t be neglected at all and must be given utmost priority in every facet. Don’t forget anyone can be victim of disaster any time and turn into a disable person.