Handicap International is currently implementing a project "Capacity building of disaster risk reduction actors in mainstreaming disability issues in India ". Funded by the European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the project aims to support stakeholders in making their disaster risk reduction strategies, policies, programs, projects, curricula and activities disability-inclusive. To demonstrate the feasibility of disability inclusive DRR activities in the field, HI collaborated with Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) for co-implementation. The aim of the co-implementation is to include disability issues in the ongoing CBDRM procect being implemented by Welthungerhilfe and its two local partners namely SAMBANDH in Orissa and Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) in West Bengal . The following are the main interventions in this regard.  

Awareness generation activities:

Through different awareness generation activities on disaster preparedness, Handicap International has been able to reach out to 464 people in two project areas i.e. SAMBANDH (Orissa) and RKM ( West Bengal ). The main focus of these sensitization/awareness raising activities was to create awareness amongst persons with disabilities and their parents, women, school teachers, etc.

Sensitization of partner staff:

In order to provide basic understanding on disability as well as skills in identification of PWDs, Handicap International organised sensitization trainings-cum-workshops to the field staff of SAMBANDH and RKM. A total of 22 staff trained in two separate trainings (SAMBANDH - 11 staff & RKM - 11 staff).

A PWD in Orissa

Identification of persons with disabilities:

Handicap International provided technical guidance to the field staff of RKM and SAMBANDH in identification of persons with disabilities in the project area. A total of 218 PWDs have been identified so far in the field i.e. 66 PWDs in Orissa field and 152 PWDs in West Bengal .

 

 

Capacity building of partner staff:

Intensive training has been conducted for the field staff (including volunteers) on "how to mainstream disability issues in disaster risk reduction". This training imparted knowledge and skills to the trainees on how to include disability issues in the CBDRM activities. The training also provided technical inputs with regard to specific needs of disabled people during a disaster situation and inclusion of PWDs in different task forces.

Orientation to task force members:

The project has provided information and knowledge on specific needs of PWDs in a disaster situation to the task force members and oriented them on how to deal with PWDs while performing different tasks during a disaster situation. These task force members belong to Search, Rescue & Evacuation, First Aid, Water & Sanitation, and Early Warning teams. A total of 124 task force members (SAMBANDH - 104 & RKM - 20) oriented on the above areas.

Assessment camps:

Assessment camps have been conducted in Orissa and West Bengal to identify PWDs for providing assistive devices so as to make them active participants in DRR activities. A total of 165 PWDs (SAMBANDH - 47 & RKM - 118) were assessed by the rehabilitation professionals and specific needs of PWDs were identified for providing aids and appliances. Out of 165 assessed, 46 PWDs identified for aids and appliances support. During the assessment camps counselling was provided to PWDs and referred to concerned hospitals for surgeries.

In West Bengal , Handicap International works closely with local NGOs for the distribution of aids and appliances.

Distribution of aids and appliance:

Based on the needs identified during the assessment camps, Handicap International procured aids and appliances and distributed amongst the PWDs in Orissa and West Bengal . 46 PWDs got different kinds of aids and appliances such as crutches, hearing aids, wheelchairs, tricycles, etc.

The project staffs of SAMBANDH in Orissa and RKM in West Bengal have made efforts towards participation of PWDs in CBDRM activities. In the process, the project could include 33 PWDs in different task forces in Orissa (10 PWDs) and West Bengal (23 PWDs) field areas.

Early warning task force in Orissa

On the field technical support:

The HI - Disability Coordinator based in Bhubaneswar provides technical guidance to the partners in carrying out disability inclusive activities at the field. The technical guidance includes orientation to the staff, inclusion of PWDs in task forces, orientation to parents/ teachers/ task force members on the specific needs and abilities of PWDs, networking and coordination with various DRR stakeholders at the field level.

For more information on Mainstreaming disability in disaster risk reduction, please visit   www.disabilityindrr.org