The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has recently released the “2023 Global Survey Report on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters”. The report analyses the progress towards disability inclusion in disaster risk reduction based on over 6,000 responses from 132 countries.
The report highlights a significant lack of progress in the last decade since the first survey was conducted in 2013. Despite increasing global disasters, there has been little to no progress in providing adequate support for people with disabilities. The report argues that this lack of progress could violate international law under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which requires countries to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities from disasters.
The report emphasises the need for greater inclusion and accessibility through meaningful participatory planning and accessible early warnings for all. To achieve this, the report recommends scaling up examples from global best practices; examples include a dedicated emergency line for individuals who are deaf in Jordan, legal frameworks focused on disaster and climate management in Uganda, and disability service providers in New South Wales, Australia.
The report is a timely publication against the backdrop of this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, which is centred on the theme of fighting inequality.
2023 Global Survey Report on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters.
Press Release and Highlights from the report