• © CBM/Gonzalo Bell

Mitigating disasters before they happen

The extent to which a disaster destroys a person’s life is often related to how well-prepared one is for such a crisis. To mitigate the consequences of a disaster, people's vulnerability must be reduced – through disaster risk reduction for all. Preparedness is the first of three emergency phases of CBM. The reason for disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DIDRR) measures is simple: the better prepared you are for a crisis, the lower its negative extent. Taking precautions at an early stage can often reduce the risks of disasters to the lives of persons with disabilities.

© CURE Niger
In 2020, floods in Niger affected over 516,000 people, causing at least 69 deaths, damaging over 39,000 houses, and impacting vital infrastructure and agriculture.

The destructive power of disasters

Disasters strike suddenly, often with devastating force, altering lives in seconds. Whether natural, like earthquakes, droughts, floods, hurricanes, or human-made, the consequences are the same: death, destruction, hunger, disease, and trauma. The low- and middle-income countries are hit hardest, as they often lack the resources to recover without external support.

Each year, a significant number of people encounter disasters without adequate preparation, resulting in the loss of lives and livelihoods within moments. Once deprived of their resources, these people face considerable challenges in their efforts to rebuild. Implementing disaster risk reduction strategies is essential in mitigating such adverse outcomes, and these measures should be initiated well in advance of a crisis. Preparedness is the foremost component of CBM’s three-part emergency strategy and is particularly crucial for persons with disabilities. Timely and proactive measures can significantly enhance the likelihood of safeguarding their lives during emergencies.

© CBM/Gonzalo Bell
Golekzan from Bangladesh is blind. During a flood in her village, the 60-year-old was only able to save herself with difficulty.

Persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected.

Persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected in disaster, emergency and conflict situations. They may be less able to escape from hazards, lose essential medication or assistive products, be left behind when a community is forced to evacuate or experience greater difficulty accessing basic needs, including food, water, shelter and health services. The climate crisis exacerbates this situation. Disaster risk reduction helps to prevent such situations from arising in the first place because they begin long before the crisis.

Despite this, persons with disabilities are often not included in disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management initiatives, often facing unresponsive governments or attitudinal problems which cause and aggravate their exclusion at all levels.

Disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DIDRR) ensures no one is left behind when disaster strikes. By working with persons with disabilities in the community, as well as local and national stakeholders, CBM aims to put their important contextual knowledge and individual perspectives into practice. In this way, CBM and our partners work towards building resilient, inclusive communities that can prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

DIDRR is part of our Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) initiative. CBID is a way of working that ensures persons with disabilities are respected and included in their communities on an equal basis in all areas of life.

Our approach to DIDRR

CBM works with local and national partners to develop disability-inclusive approaches to disaster risk reduction. This includes:

A house on stilts © CBM
CBM model houses on stilts prove their worth. They offer persons with disabilities and their families protection from severe flooding.
  • Working with people in the community, including persons with disabilities, to assess potential hazards and develop inclusive disaster response mechanisms
  • Advocating for and supporting the development of inclusive early-warning systems  
  • Capacity building of government departments, disaster management agencies and non-governmental organisations
  • Developing resilient livelihood opportunities and improving food security through climate mitigation and adaptation practices
  • Supporting the development of inclusive DRR and climate adaptation and mitigation policies, strategies and plans

Our CBID projects in disaster-prone areas always incorporate DIDRR to build resilient communities that have the capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

Our work in 2023

  • 44,729 people took part in DIDRR training

  • 255 organisations of persons with disabilities were involved in the implementation of DIDRR activities

  • 36 emergency or disaster policies or laws were influenced to be made disability-inclusive

Publications and resources

  • Mainstreaming Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction in Community Development

    pdf111.3MB, Accessible

    Explore the urgent need for Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) in the face of increasing disasters, particularly for persons with disabilities. Understand the barriers they face during emergencies and the critical role of Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) in creating resilient, disaster-prepared communities. Learn how inclusive strategies can save lives and ensure that everyone is protected in times of crisis.

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  • Mainstreaming DIDRR in Community Based Inclusive Development

    pdf2.1MB, Accessible

    The report offers numerous recommendations across the conceptual, organizational, strategic, capacity-building, and financial areas. A major point emphasizes that organizations involved in CBID and broader community development must strengthen their focus on the DIDRR/CBID connection, allocate necessary funding without shortcuts, and provide clear guidance. Key needs include addressing human-induced disasters, enhancing in-person capacity building and training, and ensuring that local resources and partners are ready and equipped to contribute effectively.

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  • DIDRR Critical Insights and Good Practices from the Field

    pdf14.8MB, Accessible

    This report focuses on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction and management. It highlights the barriers faced by persons with disabilities, the importance of inclusive policies, and the need for continuous advocacy and capacity building. The report includes case studies from Haiti, Niger, Zimbabwe, the Philippines, and Bangladesh and emphasises the necessity of data, contextual knowledge, and stakeholder synergy in fostering resilience and effective disaster response.

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  • Study of Disability Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation DICCA

    pdf11.8MB, Accessible

    This study on Disability inclusive Climate Change Adaptation (DICCA) in the Southkhali Union, focuses on the impacts of climate change-induced hazards and disaster on persons with disabilities and their inclusion in adaptation measures.

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  • Towards disability-inclusive early warning systems in Cameroon and Niger

    pdf1.9MB, Accessible

    This document discusses the importance of disability-inclusive early warning systems (EWS) in Cameroon and Niger, focusing on the challenges and barriers faced by persons with disabilities during disasters. ​ It highlights the need for inclusive disaster risk management (DRM) and early warning mechanisms, emphasizing stakeholder engagement, gathering disability disaggregated data, and developing accessible communication tools. ​ The study provides recommendations for creating effective multi-hazard disability-inclusive EWS to save lives and ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster preparedness and response efforts. ​

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  • Vers des systèmes d'alerte précoce intégrant le handicap au Cameroun et au Niger

    pdf1.8MB, Accessible

    This document discusses the importance of disability-inclusive early warning systems (EWS) in Cameroon and Niger, focusing on the challenges and barriers faced by persons with disabilities during disasters. ​ It highlights the need for inclusive disaster risk management (DRM) and early warning mechanisms, emphasizing stakeholder engagement, gathering disability disaggregated data, and developing accessible communication tools. ​ The study provides recommendations for creating effective multi-hazard disability-inclusive EWS to save lives and ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster preparedness and response efforts. ​

    Download
  • Including Persons with Disabilities in DRR: A Research Study from Eight Countries of Africa, Asia and America

    pdf887.4KB, Accessible

    This research study highlights progress, gaps, and good practices in DIDRR policy and practice, providing a regional analysis and recommendations to enhance inclusion. ​ The study emphasizes the need for systematic data collection, supportive governance, investment in resilience, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in disaster risk management. ​

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  • Including Persons with Disabilities in DRR: A Research Study from Eight Countries of Africa, Asia and America (French)

    pdf397.0KB, Accessible

    This research study highlights progress, gaps, and good practices in DIDRR policy and practice, providing a regional analysis and recommendations to enhance inclusion. ​ The study emphasizes the need for systematic data collection, supportive governance, investment in resilience, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in disaster risk management. ​

    Download