ABSTRACT
The occurrence of natural hazards in unprepared populated regions is resulting in an immediate increase in poverty, deprivation, inequalities and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The Millennium Development Goals cannot be achieved without the inclusion of all persons in society, including persons with disabilities, in addressing development issues. To support effective and sustainable inclusion of people with disabilities in disaster risk reduction, disaster frameworks need to be disability-inclusive and disability frameworks need to be disaster-inclusive. During disasters, and in post-disaster situations, adequate interventions in emergency response, recovery and reconstruction are part of achieving disaster resilience. Disaster management is a continuous process that can be divided into several phases forming a cycle. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are absent in every phase of the disaster management cycle. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities mandates that all necessary measures, including those taken through international cooperation, ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies.
