Towards inclusive disaster risk management

Source(s): European Disability Forum

In cooperation with CBM and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), EDF organised a workshop in Brussels on 17 May 2017. This ‘regional hub’ took place the week before the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Cancun (22-26 May). UNISDR with the support received by Nippon Foundation are also supporting regional hubs in Asia and the Pacific, organised by the Centre of Disability and Development (CDD) - Bangladesh and the Pacific Disability Forum respectively.

Members of EDF shared their experiences in inclusive disaster risk reduction in Europe and discussed recommendations and future actions which we can take. Next week from 22 to 26 May 2017, EDF members will participate and share our outcomes at the Global Platform in Cancun, using a range of virtual participation tools, which we also learned about in the workshop.

For more updates on inclusive DRR, follow #DiDRR and #MEXICOGP2017 on Twitter. 

Objectives of the workshop

The workshop had the objectives to:

  • bring the perspectives of disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) in Europe to the Regional Platform, through presentation of the key issues of the framework and feedback from a European perspective;
  • build the capacity of EDF members and DPOs in Europe to work on inclusive DRR helping to implement the Sendai Framework for Action in Europe;
  • identify areas of good practice on inclusive DRR in Europe to share with the global platform in Cancun;
  • influence the EU’s implementation of the Sendai framework including upcoming EU policies and programmes to include disability components;
  • create possibilities for peer learning between partners in Asia and Pacific.
  • A full report of the workshop is being prepared which contains a summary of key issues raised in the remote hub in Brussels. The report also highlights examples of good practice in Europe that would be promoted at the Global Platform in Cancun. It identifies many areas where DPOs in Europe could become more involved in inclusive DRR. It is compiled based on the knowledge of the participants and facilitators. Please contact catherine.naughton@edf-feph.org if you would like a copy of the full report.

DRR good practice from Europe

Participants did mention that in the case of many international frameworks, the language in international agreements is getting stronger in recent years. Examples include the Sendai Framework, but also the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. On the other hand these commitments are yet to be translated in to inclusive accessible practices at the level of programmes, services and actions.

A range of rich experiences show that good practice in the field of inclusive DRR in Europe may be emerging. These are examples we would share:

  • Italy: inclusive approach to data - the Adapt database;
  • Italy: creating a disability office in the Department for Civilian Protection and adopting guidelines in a participatory manner;
  • Italy: fire brigade show a leading approach in inclusivity , participation and accessibility;
  • European level DRR (February 2015): Council conclusions on disability inclusive disaster management are a very strong policy framework for the EU;
  • The European Commission plan of action to implement Sendai framework;
  • A new European project funded by the European Commission on inclusive DRR in Latvia, Poland, Sweden and Lithuania , which includes DPOs partners and was based on a consultative development process. This project will start in 2018;
  • Disabled Persons Organisations of Denmark building is an accessible building with a unique approach to universal design and risk management, especially fire safety due to safe zones lift that can be used in emergency situations;
  • European laws to ensure accessibility, such as the ‘Web Accessibility Directive’- this will ensure public sector websites in the EU are accessible providing a basis for accessible information on disaster management;
  • Working with the Council of Europe and internationally to promote inclusive DRR – Disabled People International Europe;
  • European Union of the Deaf (EUD) in a collaborative project, innovating to create accessible, inclusive alert systems in the NEXES project.

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