We are pleased to announce that the Reference Group on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action (DRG) has been officially recognized and accepted as an associated entity within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). The IASC is the primary mechanism for inter-agency coordination of humanitarian assistance established in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly.
The Disability Reference Group (DRG) was established as a pivotal initiative following the endorsement of the IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action in October 2019. These guidelines represent a significant step forward in the humanitarian sector, advocating for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to emergency response and recovery efforts.
Since its establishment in 2020 as an informal group, the International Disability Alliance (IDA) has served as a co-chair and hosted the secretariat of the Disability Reference Group (DRG). Additionally, IDA has co-led the DRG WorkStream focused on strengthening the participation and leadership of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in humanitarian action.
The DRG convenes a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including OPDs, NGOs, UN entities, academia, donors, and other partners, working collectively to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action. Today, the DRG consists of over 500 organizations and individual members.
With its official recognition as an IASC associated entity, the DRG is now formally mandated to:
- Serve as a vital bridge between OPDs and humanitarian responders.
- Promote disability-inclusive responses through the dissemination and implementation of guidance.
- Hold the humanitarian system accountable for delivering truly inclusive responses.