SubscribeA three day International Workshop on 'Integrating Disability in Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Response - Best Practices and Lessons Learnt' took place in Bhubaneswar from the 23rd to the 25th of November 2010. As much as we would rather not think of emergency contingencies when we travel this sort of regional preparation is valuable for travelers with disabilies:
The workshop aims to bring together the government and non government actors in the field of disability and disaster risk reduction from South Asia and Europe to share and learn from experiences and best practices in the field of disability inclusive disaster risk reduction. Disaster risk reduction remains a key challenge in South Asia region. The workshop will provide an insight into the issues of disability inclusion, need for required policy changes and collective approach to reduce risks and vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities through consistent programmatic interventions.It will feature addresses from leaders in the field of disability and disaster risk reduction and response. The workshop is organised in the form of roundtable discussions, symposia, paper presentations, exhibits and lessons learnt from disability inclusive DRR interventions particularly from South Asia. Around 60 participants from State Disaster Managemnet Authorities of Gujurat, West Bengal and Odisha, various international and national organizations working on disaster risk reduction and disability issues, bi-lateral agencies and UN agencies will join the workshop including participants from Nepal, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Afganistan, Canada and France.Sj. Surya Narayan Patro, Hon'ble Minister for Revenue & Disaster Management, Govt. of Odisha has kindly consented to grace the occasion as Chief Guest. Dignitaries including Mr. Nikunja K Sundaray, IAS, Special Relief Commissioner & Managing Director, OSDMA, Ms. Arti Ahuja, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Women and Child Department, Ms. Kasturi Mohapatra, Disability Commissioner, Prof. Asha Hans, Executive Vice- President Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre and Mr. Gilles Nouzies, Country Director, Handicap International-India will grace the inaugural function and share their views.Handicap International is implementing the project on 'Integrating Disability in Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Response in partnership with Orissa State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), Indian Red Cross Society, Concern Worldwide, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC). This project is supported by European Commission Humanitarian Aid under its DIPECHO Action 5. The project achieved the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster risk redcution at community level, made cyclone shelters more accessible and influenced policy changes.