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29 October 2013

Proposals from people in disaster-affected areas:
Toward inclusive communities for all

The Nippon Foundation
The Japan Disability Forum (JDF)
with participants of the Symposium on Persons with Disabilities and Disaster Risk Reduction

According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that persons with disabilities constitute 15% of the world population. It can be said that persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in times of disaster.
It is reported that in the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on 11 March 2011, the mortality rate of persons with disabilities was double that of the general population. One reason is that the existing disaster risk reduction policies were not sufficiently effective for persons with disabilities. Although it is important that disaster risk reduction programs are implemented in a way that serves all the residents of the area, these programs, at the same time, should also respond to the needs and conditions of each individual. We should not forget the fact that soon after the Great Earthquake hit, it was difficult even to discover the whereabouts of persons with disabilities, partly because of barriers caused by existing legislation on personal information protection. A considerable number of persons felt that their human dignity had been violated.
In light of the above situation, we propose the following:

1. It is necessary to explicitly include persons with disabilities in all kinds of policies, programs and activities related to disaster risk reduction.

  • It is necessary to explicitly include persons with disabilities in the post 2015 UN global framework for disaster risk reduction.
  • It is also important to include persons with disabilities in national, municipal and other public programs and activities for disaster risk reduction, and at the same time to establish departments/sections in charge of the disaster support for persons with disabilities.
  • The needs in time of disaster differ from individual to individual. It is necessary to respond to the variety of needs related to the disabilities of each individual, as well as his/her gender, age, nationality, and so forth.

2. It is essential that persons with disabilities and the individuals/bodies who assist them participate in programs and activities for disaster risk reduction.

  • It is essential that persons with disabilities and the individuals/bodies who assist them participate in policy/program making and activities for disaster risk reduction, including emergency drills.
  • It is important that persons with disabilities be appointed to posts in charge of disaster risk reduction in national/municipal governments or other public bodies.
  • It is important to utilize the knowledge and experience of residents, including persons with disabilities or civil society organizations, in order to address the various issues related to persons with disabilities. This is evident from our experiences with the Great East Japan Earthquake.
  • With the participation of persons with disabilities themselves, we can make and implement the most appropriate and effective policies, programs and projects in support of persons with disabilities, without spending a large amount of money. Such participation also makes possible more convincing educational measures related to disaster risk reduction.

3. It is necessary to implement disaster risk reduction policies and programs based upon the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and to make these policies and programs inclusive, without discrimination or inequality.

  • Disaster risk reduction policies, programs, emergency drills and their documents, emergency alarms, evacuation orders/recommendations, and assistance for evacuation, must be made accessible and easy to understand for everyone.
  • Especially, it is necessary to establish guidelines for large areas, such as on the national level, in order to make the information, buildings and facilities related to disaster risk reduction accessible and usable.
  • It is important to make community systems with the participation of all the residents, in order that each resident is not only an object for support but also an active member who participates and contributes in daily activities for disaster risk reduction.

It is said that disaster situations reflect and expose the actual state of the society. To put it another way, activities undertaken in ordinary times will produce a strong effect in times of disaster. If we make disaster risk reduction activities inclusive, without discrimination or inequality, we will be able to build inclusive communities for all.