“The Covid-19 global crisis has thrown into stark relief the harmful inequalities existing in societies everywhere,” says Tom Palmer, writing for the Humanitarian Practice Network as protection and inclusion advisor for Islamic Relief.
“No more harshly is this felt than by persons with disabilities, who face elevated risks of infection, serious illness and mortality as well as worsening levels of poverty, abuse and exploitation.”
Guidelines for disability inclusion recently published by the IASC are a dramatic step forward in ensuring that humanitarian action leaves no one behind. They support humanitarian actors to effectively identify and respond to the needs and rights of persons with disabilities who are most at risk of being left behind.
Now, even more humanitarian actors are benefiting from the guidance as the IASC guidelines were translated to Arabic by Islamic Relief and published this month.
Effective humanitarian response now and in the future
“Not only do the IASC Guidelines provide valuable practical instructions for disability inclusion; they also demonstrate what is possible if persons with disabilities are recognised as experts of their own experience and included in learning and development processes,” adds Tom. He also calls for seven steps to implement the much-needed guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.
Among the recommendations highlighted are the need for guidance and information to be available in accessible formats; practical examples to illustrate the theory and tools for effective delivery; and training and collaboration opportunities. Strategies for organisational change as well as robust accountability mechanisms are also essential.
Only by including people who have been overlooked in the past and left behind will the response to the current global crisis – and those that follow – be truly impactful.
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