By: Sering Mass Jallow
The Network Against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV) and partners recently convened a national forum to strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster risk management.
The meeting was organized by NGBV with support from UNFPA The Gambia and the Gambia Federation for the Disabled (GFD).
The forum, held on 12 December at a hotel in the Senegambia area, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, UNFPA, civil society organisations and disability rights groups. Organizers described the meeting as a timely effort to ensure that national disaster response mechanisms are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all citizens.
Addressing participants, NGBV National Coordinator Fallu Sowe said persons with disabilities face increased risks during emergencies due to challenges related to access, communication and mobility. He stressed the need to mainstream disability issues across all sectors, particularly in disaster preparedness and response.
Sowe said inclusive disaster planning should translate into practical measures, including accessible early warning systems, evacuation plans and response services that deliberately consider the needs of persons with disabilities.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the UNFPA Country Representative, Programme Specialist Joy Michael underscored the importance of collaboration in promoting disability inclusion. She said UNFPA, in partnership with UNICEF, government institutions and civil society organizations, has supported the development of a National Disability Policy and the establishment of a National Advisory Council to guide its implementation.
Michael added that inclusive disaster risk management requires sustained commitment and coordination among state institutions, development partners and communities.
Participants from disability organizations noted that persons with disabilities are often disproportionately affected during disasters but remain underrepresented in planning and decision-making processes.
The forum forms part of NGBV’s ongoing collaboration with national and international partners to promote the rights of persons with disabilities and advance inclusive approaches to disaster risk management in The Gambia