Ninh Binh: Expanding capabilities of people with disabilities in natural disaster risk prevention

At the event. Photo: AFV

This activity is within the framework of the project "Promotion of disability-inclusive and disaster prepared communities in Nho Quan", implemented Aid for Social Protection Program Foundation (AFV) and funded by Christian Blind Mission (CBM).

There were 35 people including 19 women and 14 men from Nho Quan District Disability Association and 6 community development groups attended the training course. Under the guidance of teacher Nguyen Quang Huy - Deputy Director of National Center for Technology and Disaster Policy, trainees have gained basic knowledge about natural disaster prevention and risk mitigation, create disaster preparedness plans and disaster prevention plans at all levels, etc. With the transmission of content close to daily practice, the training course brought many useful things for the participants.

Dinh Thi Hoan, 52 years old, a person with mobility impairments living in Sam 2 village shared, this course is extremely beneficial to the community, especially for people with disabilities. “Through the training course, we learned more about the risks that natural disasters can pose to people and production, we know how to prepare ourselves for the disaster and avoid effect as much as possible.”

People with disabilities and other at-risk groups are often forgotten in disaster risk reduction (DRR) programs and left behind when disaster happens. They are excluded from disaster preparedness measures, are invisible when it comes to community mapping or evacuation planning, find it harder to access shelters and safe spaces due to environmental barriers or protection risks and receive inadequate or inappropriate relief and support when they suffer from disaster loss.

The second phase of the project “Promotion of disability-inclusive and disaster prepared communities in Nho Quan” was launched at the People Committee of Nho Quan District in April 2019.

The second phase of the project will be implemented in 4 years with the target as people with disability and their community will integrate and adapt better with climate change and hazardous’ impacts. The project will inclusively connect and contribute to CBM’s initiative about Community Based Initiatives Development (CBID) aiming at Integrated and participatory community provides equal access for people with disability living in poverty; Local authorities and other support service systems effectively participate; Community disaster preparedness./.