Humanity and Inclusion (June 2020)
COVID-19 in Humanitarian Contexts: No excuses to leave persons with disabilities behind! Evidence from HI's operations in humanitarian settings
This report compiles evidence and testimonies collected by HI in 19 countries of operations, and sheds light on the specific COVID-19 impacts and difficulties faced by persons with disabilities. The report finds that persons with disabilities face higher health risks, but are also more exposed to economic shock. Preventive measures often do not take into account the particular needs of persons with disabilities, and can even have negative impacts on safety, physical and psychological well-being. The report provides recommendations for all humanitarian actors to: ensure meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations; collect, analyse and monitor needs assessment data disaggregated by sex, age and disability; collaborate with organisations of persons with disabilities to assess the impact of COVID-19; share information on COVID-19 prevention and response through a diversity of accessible formats; and refer to the IASC Guidelines on the Inclu
Thematic Group on Disaster Risk Reduction of the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities
Open Letter to the UN Secretary General
This Open Letter calls on States Parties to uphold Article 25 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is related to Health, and requests all governments and health service providers to guarantee and enhance access to health services for persons with disabilities and their carers, including access to personal protective equipment and hygiene products.
IFRC, OCHA and WHO (March 2020)
How to Include Marginalised and Vulnerable People in Risk Communication and Community Engagement
This guidance includes a specific section setting out actions to include people with disabilities within risk communication and community engagement for COVID-19. The recommended actions include: undertake active outreach to collect feedback from persons with disabilities; disseminate information that uses clear and simple language; provide information in accessible formats, like braille, large print; offer multiple forms of communication, such as text captioning or signed videos, text captioning for deaf people, online materials for people who use assistive technology; involve organizations of persons with disabilities in consultation and decision making; and provide tailored information to meet individual needs.
International Federation of the Red Cross (March 2020)
Technical Guidance Note on How To Consider Protection, Gender and Inclusion in the COVID-19 Response
This document points out that, like all crises, the COVID-19 outbreak will affect people differently based on their sex, gender and other factors, including age, disability, sexual orientation, health status, legal status, ethnicity, and other aspects of the person. Emergencies exacerbate existing gender inequalities, and the incidence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), violence against children can be expected to increase. Actions to address these protection risks are provided along the overarching principles of dignity, access, participation and safety.
IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (March 2020)
Briefing Note on Addressing Mental Health and Psychosocial Aspects of COVID-19 Outbreak, Version 1.5
This document sets out overarching principles for a mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) response to COVID-19, including integrating MHPSS approaches as a core component of any public health response; positioning MHPSS as a cross-cutting issue among all emergency pillars; and building on existing MHPSS services but adapting these to new conditions and for people with physical and psychosocial disabilities. A list of 14 globally recommended activities is provided, and a specific intervention to support the needs of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 outbreak is outlined.
Global Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility Helpdesk (April 2020)
Disability Considerations in GBV Programming During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This document includes recommendations for strengthening disability inclusion in gender-based violence programming during the COVID-19 pandemic, including: (1) Strengthen capacity for disability inclusion; (2) Provide case management for survivors with disabilities and carers; and (3) Ensure disability inclusion in GBV risk mitigation and prevention.
Syrian Protection Cluster (April 2020)
Brief Guidance Note: A disability-inclusive COVID-19 response
This guidance highlights the high prevalence of people with disabilities living amongst the Syrian internally displaced population, and highlights the specific risks that are faced by people with disabilities in a protracted humanitarian context. Specific recommendations are provided for ensuring the COVID-19 response in Syria is disability inclusive.
Humanity and Inclusion (April 2020)
Guidance Brief: A Disability Inclusive COVID-19 Response in Somalia
This guidance highlights that Somalis with disabilities have expressed concern about the deterioration of their psychosocial and socio-economic wellbeing due to the impact of COVID-19, and sets out recommendations for disability inclusion in COVID-19 planning and preparedness including: consulting with people with disabilities and considering their specific risks; ensuring all communication and awareness-raising messaging are accessible; collecting disaggregated data on disability, gender, age and other relevant criteria to monitor and address the gaps in the response; ensuring MHPSS, child protection and other protection services are accessible, including during quarantine and/or hospitalisation; and providing reasonable accommodation and modified modalities of humanitarian response such as additional amounts of protective gear for support persons/ care giver, adapted amounts of hygiene items, cash assistance, provision of transportation to reach testing or treatment etc.
Humanity & Inclusion (April 2020)
Tip sheet – Including Persons with disabilities in your COVID-19 Health Response
This resource provides an overview of the factors that may put people with disabilities at heightened risk in the COVID-19 pandemic and response in humanitarian settings; and recommends actions to address these risks within COVID-19 health response. It draws on actionable and evidenced recommendations from the IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, health chapter applying these to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO guidance for Disability inclusion in COVID-19 response, SODEN Statement on how COVID-19 is affecting persons with disabilities in Somalia and the practical field experience of HI and collaborating partners in Somalia. The document shares practical tips on how to identify and reduce the risk faced by these groups by designing and delivering a more inclusive response in particular in poor displacement and urban settings.
Humanity & Inclusion (April 2020)
Tip sheet: How to make your COVID-19 WASH response more inclusive of persons with disabilities in Somalia
This tip sheet provides an overview of the factors that may put people with disabilities at heightened risk in the COVID-19 pandemic and response in humanitarian settings; and proposes actions to address these risks within the COVID WASH response. This note draws on the IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, SODEN Statement on how COVID-19 is affecting persons with disabilities in Somalia and the practical field experience of HI and collaborating partners in Somalia. This document shares practical tips on how to identify and reduce the risk faced by these groups by designing and delivering a more inclusive WASH response in poor urban and internally displaced settings.
Humanity & Inclusion (April 2020)
Tip sheet – Including Persons with disabilities in your COVID-19 CCM Response in Somalia
This tip sheet provides an overview of the factors that may put persons with disabilities at heightened risk in the COVID-19 pandemic and response in humanitarian settings; and proposes actions to address these risks within the COVID Camp Coordination & Management response. This note draws on the IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action’ Chapter 11 on Camp Coordination & Management, SODEN Statement on how COVID-19 is affecting persons with disabilities in Somalia and the practical field experience of HI and collaborating partners in Somalia. This document shares practical tips on how to identify and reduce the risk faced by these groups by designing and delivering a more inclusive response in the Somalia displacement setting.