Disability inclusion policy brief: Gap analysis on disability-inclusive humanitarian action in the Pacific

This policy brief presents findings from a gap analysis of disability-inclusive emergency response in the Pacific. It seeks to: 

• improve understanding of the challenges of, and opportunities to enhance, inclusive humanitarian practice in the Pacific
• improve understanding from a disability– inclusive perspective of the effectiveness of recent emergency responses including Tropical Cyclones Pam and Winston, and the Ambae island evacuation; and
• develop priority actions needed to progress disability inclusion in Pacific emergency preparedness and response.

The two main focuses of the gap analysis that have informed this policy brief are outlined below.

• A review of the level that New Zealandbased non-governmental organisations (NGOs) include persons with disabilities in their emergency responses. This analysis was based on a review of the two recent significant disaster responses noted above - Tropical Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu and Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji.
• An assessment of the capacity of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (DPOs) to engage in the humanitarian responses and capture their perception of current humanitarian practice in the region - both the challenges and good practices observed.