Lalitpur – Persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups during disasters, facing unique challenges that require specialized assistance and attention. As an initiative to take a step towards enhancing disaster response, a one-day consultation program was organized in Lalitpur with concerned stakeholders to collect suggestions and feedback on development of the Disability inclusive disaster risk reduction resource book focusing on effectively rescuing and assisting persons with disabilities during both natural and man-made disasters.
The program was organized by the Nepal Government, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MOFAGA), in collaboration with USAID Tayar Nepal and with the technical support from Atullya Foundation, at the Square Hotel in Lalitpur.
During the consultation program, Mr. Rishiraj Acharya, under-secretary from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration emphasized the rights, policy issues, and linguistic challenges faced by the local governments. He highlighted the importance of integrating disability-related concerns into disaster planning and response, citing constitutional provisions and international laws that safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. Mr. Acharya urged the inclusion of disability-friendly measures in all aspects of local development, acknowledging that progress might be gradual but significant.
Ms. Anita Ghimire, vice president of the National Federation of Disabled- Nepal, highlighted the need for incorporating language that is easily understandable for persons with severe disabilities and conforming to international standards. This emphasis on clear communication can improve the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction measures.
Deputy Chief of Party from USAID Tayar Nepal, Mr. Tirtha Raj Joshi disclosed that the document developed in consultation with various concerned stakeholders and experts, will be piloted at the municipal level. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the resilience of persons with disabilities during disasters, as they are disproportionately affected.
Mr. Pallav Pant, Chairperson of Atullya Foundation, expressed his happiness in contributing to the development of disability inclusive disaster risk reduction resource book with insights from relevant stakeholders. He appreciated the efforts of the Nepal government in addressing disability issues and mentioned that the resource book is intended to provide guidance to local responders, including Red Cross personnel, police, and army personnel, in supporting persons with disabilities during emergencies.
Mr. Santosh Khatri, Section Officer from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration raised the crucial question of how to effectively disseminate the guidelines to the local level. He emphasized the significance of training and capacity-building for local responders to minimize damages and cater to the needs of persons with disabilities during disasters.
The organizers of the program highlighted the importance of stakeholder’s input in refining the training guidelines. By incorporating suggestions from various disability-focused organizations, donor agencies, and experts, the guidelines can be tailored to cater to the unique needs of different persons with disabilities at the grassroots level.
Experts believe that adopting a simple, user-friendly terminology in the resource book can significantly contribute to disaster risk reduction involving persons with disabilities.
The program involved 10 different types of disability groups, as classified by the Nepal government, along with government officials, concerned stakeholders, donor agencies, and experts. Their collective expertise, suggestions, feedbacks and insights were utilized to offer valuable suggestions and advice aimed at addressing the specific concerns of persons with disabilities in risk reduction and disaster management.
Overall, the consultation program in Lalitpur has paved the way for a more inclusive and responsive disaster management approach, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society are not left behind in times of crisis.