Persons with disabilities make up at least 15% of the global population [1], yet continue to be among those most impacted by disasters [2] and more likely to be excluded from emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and related decision-makingprocesses. [3] Research also shows that the mortality rate among persons with disabilities tends to be two to four times higher than that of the rest of the population, as demonstrated during the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, and hurricane Katrina in the USA. [4]
Europe and Central Asia are no exception, with COVID-19 being one of the most recent examples of this. For instance, UK statistics from early 2021 already show that persons with disabilities accounted for six in 10 COVID-19 related deaths [5], the fact strongly corroborated by evidence of discrimination from across the continent. Similar trends are observed in other crisis situations, including flooding, extreme weather related incidents and wildfires.
Download the policy paper below
Related documents:
- DiDRR Policy Brief
- DiDRR Review Europe and Central Asia
- Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR): A Quick Reference Guide on DiDRR for Practitioners
Contact:
Gordon Rattray – International Cooperation Officer
gordon.rattray@edf-feph.org
Twitter: @GordonRattray
[1] World Report on Disability. WHO and World Bank (2011)
[2] IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action (2019)
[3] Twigg, J. Kett, M. Lovell, E. Disability inclusion and disaster risk reduction: Overcoming barriers to progress (2018)
[4] Panel Discussion on Disaster resilience and disability: ensuring equality and inclusion. ECOSOC Chamber, UN (2013) (accessed on 27 October 2021)
[5] European Human Rights Report. Impact of COVID-19 on persons with disabilities. European Disability Forum (2021)