{"id":6616,"date":"2025-06-17T14:16:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T12:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hi-deutschland-projekte.de\/lnob\/?p=6616"},"modified":"2025-06-17T14:31:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T12:31:44","slug":"the-road-to-inclusion-advancing-disability-inclusive-protection-programming-and-coordination-in-north-east-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hi-deutschland-projekte.de\/lnob\/the-road-to-inclusion-advancing-disability-inclusive-protection-programming-and-coordination-in-north-east-nigeria\/","title":{"rendered":"The Road to Inclusion: Advancing Disability-Inclusive Protection Programming and Coordination in North-East Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have a look at our latest publication on disability inclusion in humanitarian action in north-east Nigeria. The report draws on field research conducted by our research partner, the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV). It examines both the progress made and the persistent gaps in integrating disability-inclusive approaches into protection efforts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria is shaped by protracted conflict and insecurity, recurrent flooding, large-scale displacement, and poverty, all of which create severe challenges for vulnerable populations. The report finds that although disability inclusion has gained visibility in north-east Nigeria\u2019s humanitarian response, its practical application remains uneven and often treated as an \u201cadd-on\u201d rather than a foundational principle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key actors\u2014including disability-focused INGOs like CBM, UN bodies, and the Disability Working Group (DWG)\u2014have advanced the IASC Guidelines<\/em> on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action<\/a> and its four \u201cmust-do\u201d actions. The DWG\u2019s technical inputs have also helped shape the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund\u2019s \u201cBreaking Down Barriers\u201d allocations, fostering greater attention to accessible infrastructure, disaggregated data collection, and\u00a0 participation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, most UN agencies operate under disparate frameworks, and protection partners have to integrate disability-sensitive objectives and training consistently into their strategies. Funding for inclusive initiatives remains ad hoc, capacity-building efforts are sporadic, and data-disaggregation methods lack standardization, leading to gaps in targeting\u2014particularly for women, children, and persons with psychosocial disabilities\u2014and accessing reasonable accommodation such as sign-language interpretation or ramps. Frontline staff often lack the specialized skills to translate policy into practice, resulting in mixed accessibility of, for example, distribution sites and feedback mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these challenges, a gradual shift toward rights-based dialogue, increased OPD engagement in sectoral planning, and emerging communities of practice signal a positive trajectory. To consolidate these gains, the report underscores the need for harmonized guidelines, sustained funding streams, systematic capacity development, and strengthened accountability structures to ensure that disability inclusion becomes the norm rather than the exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We invite readers\u2014whether practitioners, policymakers, or advocates\u2014to further explore key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for building more inclusive humanitarian responses: <\/p>\n\n\n\n