Impact of Crisis (Conflict, Natural Hazard Related Disaster, and Health Emergencies) on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities - Background Paper for the Global Disability Inclusion Report

<p dir="ltr">Crises, including conflicts, natural hazard related disasters, and health emergencies, are on the rise and becoming increasingly complex. Marginalised and socially excluded groups, such as people with disabilities, are disproportionally affected by crises and are often excluded from the emergency or humanitarian response, despite progress on inclusion in policies and guidelines. Crises have a detrimental and disproportionate impact on people with disabilities as they exacerbate pre-existing inequalities and create new barriers. The marginalisation of people with disabilities in crises are often extensions of exclusionary processes that play out in their daily lives and especially affect those with disadvantages based on intersectionality.</p><p dir="ltr">This background paper to support the drafting of Chapter 3 of the Global Disability Inclusion Report explores the impact of crises on the lives of people with disabilities, focusing on barriers to inclusive crises preparedness and response; the impact on health and wellbeing; the impact on poverty, livelihoods and social protection; the impact on education; and the impact on community and participation. The second half of the paper looks at the strategies for a more disability inclusive response to crises, focusing on disability inclusive preparedness; legal requirements and international commitments to disability inclusion in crises; the role of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and people with disabilities; identification of people with disabilities and their needs; disability inclusive programming in crises response; disability inclusive humanitarian cash/social protection; rehabilitation services; reconstruction and peace processes; and challenges to strategies for inclusive responses to crises. The paper ends with recommendations focused on implementation and coordination; training; resourcing; accountability and longer-term considerations. It is based on a rapid evidence review looking at disability in conflict, disasters, and health emergencies in high-, middle- and low-income countries conducted in September 2024.</p><p dir="ltr">This background paper has been produced by the team to support the drafting of chapter 3 of the <a href="https://www.globaldisabilitysummit.org/resource/global-disability-inclusion-report/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><b><i>Global Disability Inclusion Report: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in a Changing and Diverse World</i></b></a> for the Global Disability Summit 2025, and to inform broader discussion. It was commissioned by UNICEF through their contract with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). This work was made possible thanks to the financial support the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany.</p>