Lack of Progress in Protecting People with Disabilities During Natural Disasters, Says UN Survey

October 17, 2023

A global survey conducted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has revealed a concerning lack of progress in government policies to safeguard people with disabilities during natural disasters over the past decade. The survey findings are particularly alarming because they indicate that this vulnerable population group has been consistently excluded from disaster management planning, despite the need for their inclusion emphasized in a previous survey conducted in 2013.

Key Points from the Survey

International Mandate: The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities mandates countries to establish mechanisms ensuring the safety of people with disabilities during disasters.
Low Awareness: Among the 6,000 respondents from 132 countries surveyed in 2023, approximately 84% were unaware of evacuation routes, shelter homes, or the need for emergency supplies as part of personal preparedness plans. This figure had risen from 71% in 2013.
Declining Awareness of Disaster Management Plans: Only 11% of respondents reported awareness of a disaster management plan in their local area, down from 17% in 2013. Less than half (44%) were aware of the availability of disaster risk information in accessible formats.
High Risk for People with Disabilities: People with disabilities face a significantly higher risk during disasters, with two to four times more fatalities compared to the rest of the population. For instance, in the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, persons with disabilities were twice as likely to die.
Growing Disaster Frequency: The world is expected to experience approximately 560 disasters per year by 2030, according to UNDRR projections.
Exclusion Remains Unchanged: Despite a greater interest in participation (57% in 2023 compared to 51% in 2013), 86% of respondents still felt excluded from community-level disaster planning.
Calls for Inclusion: The report emphasizes the need to include people with disabilities in evacuation plans, provide accessible facilities and information, and strengthen early warning systems.