Celebrating International Day of People with Disabilities

Ahead of International Day of People with Disabilities (3^rd December), we’re raising awareness and promoting action around disability inclusion in disasters so that everyone is safe when a disaster strikes.

Globally, one billion people have a disability, and 80 per cent live in developing countries. Each and every person with disability has the right to be treated equally, to be included and to be afforded the same opportunities to achieve their full potential. This includes the right to safety during disasters.

Natural disasters affect almost 200 million people each year, people with disabilities are often the worst affected. It’s crucial that we include people with disabilities when planning for disasters to ensure no one is left behind when disaster strikes. At CBM, we take a disability inclusive approach during emergency response, through Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR), which can reduce the risk and the impact of disasters on people with disabilities and keep communities safe. 

Over the next week, we’ll be sharing stories of people with disabilities living in Bangladesh – a country prone to natural disasters such as flooding and landslides – who are working with CBM to ensure people with disabilities are included in Disaster Risk Reduction.

Look out for blogs about:

Shahadat

Shahadat lives in the most disaster-prone region in Bangladesh & has a disability. In 2007 his home was destroyed by a cyclone. People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by disasters. Now he’s trying to change that.

“I think I am safer, and I know about disaster. I know about the signals and I have preparations for disasters, and I have plans and I am ready to face disasters.”

Shilpy

Shilpy is a woman with a disability who knows the impact of disasters first-hand. Now she’s ensuring people with disabilities are included in planning for disasters so next time disaster strikes everyone is safe.

“In decision making on disasters people with disabilities must be included. It is my demand.”

Follow #NowIAmSafer on our Facebook (open link in new tab), Twitter (open link in new tab) and Instagram (open link in new tab) feeds for the latest updates!

Coming up…

We will be sharing a brand new film called Now I am Safer on 3^rd December, which shows the importance of taking a disability inclusive approach to disasters. Keep an eye out on our social media channels!

Images: Top – Sultan Gazi, 75, from Bangladesh with members of his community:  “I keep my community safe from disasters.” Middle – Shahadat, 40, from Bangladesh: “I want my rights, and if my rights are protected then I would have a better and prosperous life.” Bottom – Shilpy, 32, from Bangladesh: “In decision making on disasters people with disabilities must be included.” ©Erin Johnson/ CBM Australia.