News

April 2020 marks the closing of the Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Network (DiDRRN) consortium programme. Titled as “Putting the Sendai Framework into Action: Realising all-of-society commitment through the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction at regional, national, and local levels,” the programme was implemented in four countries across Asia and the Pacific: Bangladesh, Fiji, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Alongside the role as the consortium lead, ASB also directly implemented a project within the framework of this programme in East Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia.

The programme aimed to reduce the disproportionate risk of persons with disabilities in case of disaster through ensuring the Sendai Framework commitments on all-of society approach are reflected in regional and national strategies and planning documents and implemented practically. Through DiDRRN partnerships, the programme had been collaboratively building evidences and good practices of leadership of persons with disabilities in strengthening inclusive community resilience. Experiences from the 4 countries were then presented at regional and global level to promote and advocate for replications and scale-ups of inclusive approach in disaster risk reduction planning and programming.

Since it’s early implementation in 2017, the programme had effectively develop impactful transformations, significantly in creating opportunities for organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to participate in disaster management. At village level, persons with disabilities involved in the establishment and operationalisation of community-level disaster management team and planning. At national level, OPDs initiated coordination mechanism to influence emergency management, including for COVID-19 response. At regional level, representatives of OPDs took lead in advocating for change, emphasizing the capacity of persons with disabilities and removing the stigma of ‘vulnerable group’.

Throughout the programme implementation, 2.496 persons with disabilities have been actively engaged in various programme activities. Moreover, 29.197 persons in project communities, including most at-risk persons, demonstrated increased knowledge and skills on disaster preparedness. More information on the programme achievements are available here. (Rizma Kristiana)