During the final quarter of Reference Group on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action (DRG) Fellows engaged in various initiatives and events to promote inclusion and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities:
Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Improving Inclusion:
On June 27, 2023, DRG Fellows Dulamsuren “Duya” Jigjid, George Khoury, Juan Cobeñas, and Mauot Louis Allier participated in a Virtual Roundtable Discussion organized by InterAction. George led a breakout session titled "Disability-led Inclusion," focusing on the intersection of the CRPD and SDGs. The session identified gaps and proposed tangible solutions to ensure consistent, comprehensive inclusion in humanitarian programs.
Capacity-Building Initiatives:
Duya, hailing from Mongolia, facilitated a session on disability inclusion and the CRPD for UNHCR staff in Asia and the Pacific. She also shared insights at the World Summit on Arts and Culture, exploring opportunities in the arts sector for persons with disabilities in refugee camps. Additionally, Duya worked on a learning brief that highlights the complaint mechanism to access information for persons with disabilities in Nepal.
Emilio from Haiti played a pivotal role in training sessions on Article 11 for local OPDs, addressing the impact of violence during crises. Despite facing natural disasters in Haiti, Emilio actively engaged with partners uch as Coalition Nationale des Associations de Personnes Handicapées (CONAPH), and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to raise awareness on natural disasters and climate change. He also worked on a learning brief analyzing armed conflicts' effects on people with disabilities.
George, based in Lebanon, reviewed and updated the Bridge Article 11 curriculum for the MENA region. He participated in a virtual conference on disability inclusion and development challenges organized by the Economic and Social Commission of West Asia (ESCWA), emphasizing inclusion during pre- and post-disaster conditions.
Juan from Argentina collaborated with Inclusion International and proposed recommendations to the Argentinean Agency for Disability. His efforts in the water, sanitation, and hygiene cluster resulted in the inclusion of accessibility in their programs. He also participated in the RIADIS-organized consultation on Human Mobility and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing the importance of ensuring freedom of mobility in emergency situations.
Mauot, representing South Sudan, conducted training for OPDs and contributed to the UN protection cluster's efforts on disability inclusion. He actively participated in the civil society committee to support the constitutional review and engaged in discussions on transitional justice.
Rose from Mali played a crucial role in developing an advocacy guide and addressing the needs of women with disabilities in refugee camps. She emphasized the vulnerability of women with disabilities in a webinar organized by OCHA and highlighted their inclusion in climate change programs. She actively participated in a discussion program of the UK Embassy on peace, security, and resilience in the face of climate change. During the session, she underscored the crucial need for consulting with OPDs and ensuring the thorough inclusion of persons with disabilities in program agendas.
Ulamila from Fiji led an awareness-raising online session series for the Pacific region, organized leadership consultations for disability leaders from various OPDs, and contributed to directory mapping for Fiji OPDs in collaboration with ILO.
The diverse and impactful engagements of our DRG Fellows in the last quarter of their fellowship exemplify their commitment to advancing disability rights and inclusion. Their collective efforts will continue to bring positive change in the humanitarian landscape, ensuring that persons with disabilities are actively integrated into policies and programs worldwide.
