2018 UN Flagship Report Chapter 3 SDG 1.5, 11.5 and 13: Build the resilience of persons with disabilities, and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters
Chapter 3 Content International Normative Frameworks and Commitments The Situation of Persons with Disabilities: Status and Trends National Policies/Programmes to Implement this SDG and Related CRPD Provisions UN Activities to Promote the Achievement of SDGs for Persons with Disabilities Conclusion and the Way Forward
Establishment of the Task Team Task team included representatives from the UN, NGO, DPO, Subject Matter Experts. Several sources were used to draft this report. UN Publications and Reports Published Reports and Studies State Parties Reports to the CRPD Committee Inputs from Subject Matter Experts
International Frameworks and Commitments Human rights and humanitarian principles provide values to guide governments and humanitarian actors. A growing body of norms and standards provide the basis against which the relevant duty-bearers can be held accountable. Chapter 3 emphasizes the following: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Sustainable Development Goals UNFCC Paris Agreement Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction The Dhaka Declaration and Disaster Risk Management The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants Charter on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action Several areas of law apply to severe climate events and humanitarian action inclusive of persons with disabilities. the CRPD informs five four bodies of law as it relates to the protection of persons with disabilities in situations of risk. These bodies of law include IHL, international human rights law, refugee law and international criminal law and international environmental law; All these afford protection that applies to persons with disabilities. CRPD Art. 11 , but also 32, 3 principles, etc. The CRPD and other international human rights obligations can be advanced and operationalized and throughsupported by other non-binding commitments including: 2030 Agenda – SDGs The SDGs were drafted to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’ and aim to realize ‘human rights for all.’ Paris Agreement “Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights…. Including the rights of persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations”. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 adopts a rights-based sustainable development agenda that calls for accessibility and the inclusion of persons with disabilities: The Dhaka Declaration linking disability inclusive Disaster Risk Management with the SDGs on the understanding that inclusion builds the resilience of the whole society, ; The New York Declaration The Declaration recognizes the specificspecial needs of people in vulnerable situations travelling within large movements of refugees and migrants, including persons with disabilities, The CRRF calls for identification of specific assistance needs and protection arrangements, including for refugees with disabilities. The New York Declaration also sets in motion a process for the development of a global compact on refugees. Charter the first time that Member States, UN Agencies, the Red Cross Red Crescent movement, NGO networks and civil society joined forces around a common document on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action.
The Situation of Persons with Disabilities 15% of the world's population lives with a disability, including 93 million children* By the end of 2016, 65.6 million people were forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations** Approximately 10 million of the globally displaced are persons with disabilities*** However, several studies have shown that the percentage of people living with a disability is much higher in situations of forced displacement Additionally, in some cases, the morbidity rates for persons with disabilities in disasters was estimated to be four times higher than for others.**** * WHO **UNHCR’s Global Trends in Forced Displacement *** Assuming 15% of the population is living with a disability we can estimate the number of globally displaced that are persons with disabilities **** Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
National Policies/Programmes Some States have taken concrete steps to improve the inclusion of persons with disabilities in their disaster preparedness and response. These States, included in Chapter 3 as examples, include: Haiti - Portugal - Kenya - Uganda - Lebanon - Bangladesh However, of the 49 States that reported on CRPD Article 11, eleven States still believe that generic emergency planning will meet the needs of all their people, including persons with disabilities. A review of the States Party Article 11 reporting to the CRPD shows progress but also areas that need improvement to adequately address the rights of people with disabilities in situations of climate related events and humanitarian emergencies. Haiti: In 2012 Haiti enacted The Act on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. This Act has chapter devoted to compulsory measures in case of natural disasters. With this the State has an obligation to prioritize persons with disabilities in emergency response activities. Uganda: Recognizing that refugee women and girls with disabilities were largely excluded from networking and advocating for the rights of women with disabilities, the National Union of Women with Disabilities in Uganda (NUWODU) reached out to local organizations of women, including those with disabilities, consulting with them on their needs, skills, and capacities.
UN Activities UN agencies are increasingly providing policy, guidance and studies to enhance inclusion of persons with disabilities in situations of risk and emergencies: OHCHR, UNISDR, UNDP, UNICEF, UNRWA, WHO Programmatic actions have been taken by agencies in this regards. UNDP UNHCR OHCHR UNICEF WHO World Bank UNRWA UNISDR IASC Task Team UN Women UNFPA and WEI
Conclusions and Way Forward (1) Suggested recommendations: Develop and implement policies and accountability mechanisms Strengthen data, evidence and research Mobilize adequate and predictable resources Build capacity of government and humanitarian actors Create systems to prevent and respond to violence, exploitation and abuse, including targeted disability- related violence, and ensure access to justice Ensure full participation of persons with disabilities Build back better and accessible 2: sex-, age- and disability-disaggregated data, and ensure humanitarian needs assessments, Post Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA) , Recovery and Peace Building Assessments (RPBA), evaluations and monitoring/ audit mechanisms are inclusive of persons with disabilities. Use tools developed by the Washington Group in national censuses and data collection exercises related to humanitarian action 3: Set up a scoring system that includes disability, among other factors, in Humanitarian Pooled Funds and other fundraising mechanisms.
Challenges SDGs covered under the chapter were focused on climate change and disasters Reflecting participation and contributions of DPO and NGO Data and evidence on the situation persons with disabilities affected by humanitarian crises and climate emergencies is limited.