DRG Newsletter - April 2022

By IDA

 - April 29, 2022

UN (Blue), Disability Movement (Purple, building on the Wethe15 Campaign colours), NGO/broader Humanitarian Civil society actors (Red), and the principles of Coordination, Integration, Inclusion and Diversity of identities and backgrounds of members. On the right hand side: The acronym "drg" in small letters (less aggressive and more stylish than capital letters) refers to the most commonly used name of the group (Disability Reference Group) with the full official name of the group underneath it: Reference Group on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action.

Monthly Newsletter | Issue 20 - April 2022

2 young girls in Iraq, one of the girls is blind and they are both smiling

Reference Group on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action

Dear DRG members,

Welcome to the 20th edition of the DRG Newsletter !

This 20th edition comes to us just as the DRG is about to celebrate our second anniversary. The DRG was established at Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) in 2020 and we have since grown to over 260 members, including organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), NGOs and UN entities, collaborating to advance the rights of persons with disabilities impacted by humanitarian emergencies. Over the past two years we have learned and grown together, while major humanitarian crises have continued to have a devastating effect on persons with disabilities and their communities. In the face of these ongoing crises, we look forward to continuing to work with all our members towards our joint aim of ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in humanitarian response.

In this edition of the DRG newsletter, we share information about events at the upcoming HNPW, including two events organized by the DRG. It is encouraging to see a large number of HNPW events focused on inclusion and we hope that our members will be actively engaging to amplify our voices across all events.

Elham Youssefian (International Disability Alliance), Christian Modino Hok (CBM Global) and Kirstin Lange (UNICEF)

© UNICEF/UN0611989/Ibarra Sánchez

Humanitarian Networks & Partnerships Week (HNPW) 

Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) is an annual humanitarian conference, one of the largest events of its kind, that provides a collaborative space for practitioners and experts from a large variety of humanitarian stakeholders including UN agencies, NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, academia, the military, private sector initiatives, and Member States. This year, HNPW will be held from 2-22 May, in a hybrid format, with in-person events happening from 9-13 May in Geneva.
Below you will find information on two events organized by the DRG as well as other inclusion- related events.
 

1. Two Years on: A Reflection on Achievements and Forthcoming Plans of the Disability Reference Group

[3 May from 4 to 5.30 PM CET]
 

Organized by the DRG, this event will give an update on the group’s work over the past 2 years. This will include an overview of collaboration between organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), NGOs and UN entities to produce learning materials; to map disability inclusion in existing mechanisms for technical support to countries; and to strengthen engagement of OPDs in humanitarian action. Plans for the group going forward and opportunities to engage will also be highlighted. CART and International Sign will be available.
 

>> Link to Register

2.  Partnership with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities: How to Bridge Disability Inclusion and Localization

[17 May from 9 to 10.30 AM CET] 
 

Organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) working on the ground are the best reference point to ensure effectiveness and acceptability of the humanitarian action. However, collaboration among these organizations and humanitarian actors may face some challenges. In this event, humanitarian actors and local OPDs will share their perspectives based on successful and more difficult experiences. The aim is that participants will leave the event with some practical tips and lessons learned on how to ensure equal and meaningful partnerships with OPDs to strengthen localization and disability inclusion.

>> Link to Register
 

3. List of Inclusion-Related Events at HNPW

  1. May 3rd - Remote [12:00-13:15 UTC]

    Leaving no one behind: recommendations for inclusive and impartial humanitarian action
     

  2. May 3rd - Remote [14:00-15:30 UTC]
    Two Years On: A Reflection on Achievements and Forthcoming Plans of the Disability Reference Group
     
  3. May 10th - Face-to-face [11:00-12:30 UTC+2]
    Humanitarian Impact from a community perspective
     
  4. May 10th - Hybrid [11:00-12:30 CEST]
    The importance of inclusion in protection work, 10 May
     
  5. May 11th - Hybrid [14:00-15:30 CEST]
    Follow the money: a deep dive into investments for humanitarian research and innovation
     
  6. May 11th - Hybrid [15:30-17:00 CEST]
    The inclusion rebellion: Winning the communication battle
     
  7. May 11th - Hybrid [14:00-15:30 CEST]
    Inclusion Framing Session
     
  8. May 12th - Hybrid [16:00-17:00 CEST]
    Climate Charter: inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities
     
  9. May 16th - Remote [09:00-10:00 UTC]
    Applying policies in practice: Preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian settings
     
  10. May 17th - Remote [08:00-09:30 UTC]
    Health Systems Strengthening: Integration of Assistive Technology as Critical Component
     
  11. May 17th - Remote [14:00-15:30 UTC]
    Partnership with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities: How to Bridge Disability Inclusion and Localization
     
  12. May 19th - Remote [14:00-15:30 UTC] 
    Disability inclusion in humanitarian cash assistance

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Launch of the Report "The Role of Cash and Voucher Assistance in Increasing Equity and Inclusion for Girls and Children with Disabilities in Education in Emergency" 

The Global Education Cluster Cash Task Team is pleased to invite you to the launch of the research report "The Role of Cash and Voucher Assistance in Increasing Equity and Inclusion for Girls and Children with Disabilities in Education in Emergency" produced by CGA Technologies under the direct supervision of World Vision on behalf of the Task Team.

The webinar will take place virtually on Thursday May 5th, from 14:00-15:15 CET, hosted by UNICEF and moderated by Emilia Sorrentino (Education in Emergencies Advisor, Plan International, and co- chair of the GEC Task team).  Two case studies included in the report based on their programmes in Kenya and Syria will be presented.

>> Link to the Report
>> Link to Register

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Disability Inclusion Training on the Humanitarian Coordination Learning Channel in Agora

UNICEF has launched a dedicated Humanitarian Coordination Learning Channel to host learning content related to cluster coordination through a full online approach. The platform includes a n online training on disability inclusion in humanitarian coordination, which can be accessed free of charge by registering to Agora.

 
>> Link to the Channel

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ICRC Study on Disability Disaggregated Data

[Deadline: 6 May 2022]
 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) intends to conduct a study on disability disaggregated data. Its purpose is to identify best practices in operationalizing the collection and use of disability disaggregated data, with the intent to make data collection and analysis straightforward and actionable, with ICRC programs being more accessible and relevant to persons with disabilities. Anyone interested in engaging or would like more information is welcome to contact Michael Mwendwa on mng_aa [at] icrc.org
Linked to this initiative, ICRC is also recruiting for a consultant.

>> Link to the Call for Consultancy

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Launch of the Video on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action in 10 Languages

These videos focus on raising awareness about the importance of involving Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs/DPOs) and persons with disabilities in humanitarian action, using the IASC Guidelines on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, published in 2019. They are designed to promote the implementation of quality humanitarian programmes in all contexts and across all regions and to establish and increase both the inclusion of persons with disabilities and their meaningful participation in all decisions that concern them.

Theywere created as part of the VIVIDT Project. Its main aim was to create a global community of practice working towards disability inclusion in humanitarian action and volunteering. With the additional support of IOM Iraq and CBM Global and the effort of VIVIDT partners ASPEM, Abilis, CBM Ireland, European Disability Forum, we translated the videos in 10 languages.

>> Link to the Videos

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Please share any feedback you may have on the content and format of this Newsletter with us. You can send any material you want to be included in the next issues of the Newsletter by the last Monday of the month via email rg.disabilityinclusion [at] gmail.com rg.disabilityinclusion [at] gmail.com ()

 

 

 

 

 

 

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