5.2.3 International Humanitarian Organizations

Although humanitarian organizations increasingly reach out to and involve persons with disabilities in focus group discussions and cash-for-work projects, persons with disabilities still do not participate in all aspects affecting their lives.

Humanitarian organizations should therefore:

Some humanitarian organizations have started to collect and analyse data disaggregated by age, gender and disability. However, persons with disabilities are not systematically considered in the annual needs assessment and in large-scale registration exercises. Humanitarian organizations should:

So far, and as mentioned above, disability-inclusive humanitarian action often depends on the efforts and commitment of a few individuals. However, it is crucial that inclusion becomes part and parcel of the organizations’ work from the beginning. Indeed, this research shows that it is very difficult and costly to make changes in the infrastructure and service provision later on. Moreover, interviews with United Nations staff suggest that agencies that had substantial support from their headquarters were more advanced in promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Humanitarian organizations should:

The main focus has so far been on the needs and vulnerabilities of the refugees, while those of the host communities have been largely neglected. The humanitarian community should therefore:

Humanitarian organizations are also in competition for funding and qualified staff. To learn from one another’s experience in inclusive humanitarian action, organizations should:

Lead organizations, notably UNHCR and IOM, function as role models for others. UNHCR in particular has to build up its internal capacity and ensure that all staff at all levels of the organization promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities. UNHCR should:

Both UNHCR and IOM should further: