Disability, disasters and empowerment

This report presents evidence from research with participants in a Sightsavers and Disabled Rehabilitation and Research Association (DRRA) disability inclusive disaster preparedness programme in Satkhira, Bangladesh.

The aim of this research was to identify what causes people with disabilities to be vulnerable to disasters in Satkhira and to assess the forms of empowerment produced and accessed by people with disabilities participating in the programme.

The research findings provide evidence of the need for disability inclusive disaster preparedness measures, and inclusive development more broadly. The development challenges of poverty-reduction, climate change and vulnerability to disasters are interconnected. Initiatives that do not address these challenges in an integrated way will not be effective. These findings demonstrate that inclusive integrated approaches are required and should be used to support the development of poverty-reduction, climate change adaptation and increasing resilience to disasters.

Read the report summary (pdf)