Disaster, disability and displacement

This paper is a first step towards bridging the knowledge gap on how men, women and children with disabilities are disproportionately affected in disaster settings. Whether it is triggered by cyclones, wildfires, floods or other hazards, disaster displacement is a growing global phenom- enon, whose effects are especially severe for people with disabilities. Discrimination and barriers in access to services often amplify the challenges and risks internally displaced people (IDPs) with disabilities face. They also hinder their ability to achieve durable solutions to their displacement.

This paper explains why better data disaggregated by disability is essential to fostering more inclusive responses. It also emphasizes the key role people with disabilities can play in improving disaster planning, risk management and data collection on displacement, and highlights examples of tools and promising practices to guide governments and aid providers. There is growing awareness of the need to include people with disabilities in humanitarian action and sustainable development. Data and research on the number, location, and experiences of IDPs with disabilities, however, is still lacking. Such information is crucial to ensuring that they are consulted and actively participate in displacement settings. It is also critical to tailoring interventions to address their needs.