Training on Meaningful Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action Held in Berlin

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A group of participants standing on the terrace of the training venue.

“Meaningful Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action” training was successfully held in Berlin from September 18th to 19th. Prior to the in-person sessions, a half-day online introduction on September 9th brought together 9 participants, setting the stage for the comprehensive discussions and activities to follow.

The training emphasized the need for accessible spaces and inclusive participation. In line with this, the venue in Berlin was fully accessible, and logistical arrangements were made to ensure the comfort and engagement of all participants.

The event featured expert presentations from representatives of key organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the European Disability Forum (EDF), Handicap International (HI), and Christian Blind Mission (CBM), who shared insights and lessons learned from their best practice experiences.

Co-facilitated by a CBM disability inclusion coordinator and an OPD (Organisation of Persons with Disabilities) representative from Cameroon, who had been deeply involved in the Phase 3-Leave No One Behind! activities in their country, the training embodied a collaborative spirit. The presence and co-facilitation of persons with disabilities were central to the training, reflecting the commitment to ensuring that discussions about inclusion were themselves inclusive.

The main objectives of the training included familiarizing participants with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines and the Four Must To Do actions required for meaningful disability inclusion in humanitarian action. Participants also enhanced their understanding of OPDs, their structure, and how to collaborate meaningfully with them in humanitarian contexts.  

A special focus was placed on practical strategies to support the participation of persons with disabilities. Participants were introduced to methods such as providing reasonable accommodations and applying the twin-track approach, which ensures that disability inclusion is integrated both in targeted and mainstream humanitarian actions.

What made this training particularly impactful was its emphasis on lived experiences. All external speakers were persons with disabilities, bringing personal insight and expertise to the discussions. This not only deepened the participants’ understanding of the issues but also demonstrated the value of inclusion in humanitarian action.

As the world continues to face humanitarian challenges, the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities are not just considered but are active, engaged participants in these responses is more critical than ever.

Text by: Fasika Meherete, Project Coordinator CBM