Disability and Disasters

this article, I continue to unpack the provisions of the National Disability Policy which was launched by President Mnangagwa on June 9, 2021.

THE Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, led by Honourable Minister Professor Paul Mavima oversees the implementation of the National Disability Policy, thus moving the provisions of the policy from paper to the real world. This makes a positive difference in the lives of persons with disabilities and their families.

The focus of this article is on Section 3.12 (Disaster Risk Management) of the National Disability Policy (2021), which is set out as follows:

3.12.1 A strategic plan or guidelines for the protection and safety of persons with disabilities within the context of risk, including situations of armed conflict and natural disasters, must be formulated.

3.12.2 Humanitarian operators must be trained to appropriately address issues facing persons with disabilities in disaster situations at all phases (preparedness, response, early recovery, recovery and reconstruction), including ensuring the participation of persons with disabilities in these phases.

3.12.3 Disability training within the context of disaster risk management training programs must be approved by the Department of Disability Affairs – Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

3.12.4 The rights, requirements and concerns of persons with disabilities, particularly women with disabilities, must be considered in all phases that are related to situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.

3.12.5 Assistive devices along with necessary medications that may have been lost during situations of disaster must be timeously replaced.

3.12.6 The physical layout and infrastructure of temporary shelters and other services for displaced persons, including water sanitation and hygiene facilities, access to food and non-food items, must be set up in such a way that they are accessible to persons with disabilities.

3.12.7 Humanitarian operators must ensure the availability of signage to points of services in appropriate formats.

3.12.8 Persons with disabilities must not be grouped together with everyone else under the umbrella of “the most vulnerable” in policy, law, planning and implementation of programmes because persons with disabilities may have unique needs that are related to disability.

3.12.9 Sexual and reproductive health services including distribution of sanitary pads and contraceptives in temporary shelters should not overlook persons with disabilities.

3.12.10 Persons with disabilities must be included in mental health programmes, including rehabilitation services, psycho-social support, and other health-related programmes, as well as in disaster risk management committees.

3.12.11 Employers must consider the requirements and concerns of persons with disabilities within the context of workplace emergencies that may occur, such as fire outbreaks.

3.12.12 Committees of Disaster Risk Management must comprise persons with disabilities, including women with disabilities, and parents and guardians of children with disabilities at all levels.

So what does it all mean?

Zimbabwe is prone to extreme weather conditions including droughts, floods and cyclones. It is projected that this variability in weather will intensify with expected effects of global warming.

Addressing issues of disability in disaster risk management at all stages (planning, response, early recovery, recovery, reconstruction) is of utmost importance. Research has indicated that the involvement of persons with disabilities or parents and guardians of children with disabilities in programme design itself can strengthen disability-inclusive disaster risk management.

For example, this can be done by using different methods of communicating disaster risk messages that include Sign Language for Deaf persons and braille for blind persons.

In any case, Guiding Principles, Section 19 (d) of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), state that:

“Disaster risk reduction requires an all of society engagement and partnership. It also requires empowerment and inclusive, accessible, and non-discriminatory participation, paying special attention to people disproportionately affected by disasters, especially the poorest.

A gender, age, disability, and cultural perspective should be integrated in all policies and practices and women and youth leadership should be promoted. In this context, special attention should be paid to the improvement of organised voluntary work for citizens.”

Since 2015 Zimbabwe has registered progress in meeting the requirements of the Sendai Framework that seeks to boost the resilience of countries in the face of disasters.

The country is also making efforts to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all stages of the disaster risk management process (planning, response, early recovery, recovery, reconstruction).

The bottom line is that disasters and pandemics such as Covid-19 tend to have a more disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities due to disability and associated poverty and limited access to services. ◆ Read full story on www.sundaymail.co.zw