The inclusiveness of disabled persons in natural disaster management is an area that deserves a collaborative approach.
This was pointed out today by the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni when she addressed guests and participants at the lead up event to the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) held on the 13th of October.
In her address, Minister Dr Luveni highlighted the significance of the day and the driving issues that leads up to the day.
“Persons living with disabilities are often doubly vulnerable to disasters; they have limited access to education, health care, shelter, food and work before crisis strikes”.
“The IDDR theme for this year “People with disability and Disasters” comes to our shores at an appropriate time when the government of the day has shown total engagement and commitment in making disability visible in this nation,” Dr Luveni said.
Dr Luveni affirmed that the formulation of new disability legislations will definitely change and alter the uncertainties and anxieties of persons living with disabilities in Fiji during trying times like disasters.
“All we need is to adopt a more collaborative approach and synergistic thinking with active involvement of persons with disabilities as we try to address disaster reduction together,” Minister Luveni said.
The Fiji Disability flyer (I DID), ‘Include Disability in Disasters’ was also launched by Dr Luveni which is aimed at informing Fijians about the importance of including people with disabilities through community awareness.
Head of UNISDR’s Sub Regional Office in the Pacific, Tim Wilcox said that this year the focus turned to the many people across Fiji and the Pacific who live with some form of disability.
“We want to ensure they are represented in all planning processes to reduce disaster risks, prevent disaster risks, prevent disaster risks, prevent disasters or build resilient societies and communities,” Mr Wilcox said.
The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons Executive Director Dr Siti Yanuyanutawa said persons living with disabilities have unique contributions which are often overlooked, to help reduce the risk of disasters and build resilient societies and communities.
“To ensure disaster planning is inclusive, people with disabilities must be included in all planning at all stages of disasters, so there are systems and support mechanisms in place before a disaster occurs,” said Dr Yanuyanutawa.
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