DRG Newsletter - September 2021

By IDA

 - September 28, 2021

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 13 - September 2021

A young woman using crutches in front of a destroyed building in Syria

Reference Group on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action

Dear DRG members,

Welcome to the 13th edition of the DRG Newsletter!

As preparations for the next Global Disability Summit ramp up, we are reminded of the important opportunities for us all to work together to ensure that people experiencing humanitarian emergencies are included in global efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. We are excited this month to launch the DRG logo, as a visual representation of the strength of our network, bringing together OPDs, NGOs and UN agencies.
 
In this newsletter we are sharing some interesting new guidance documents, an opportunity to participate in an important survey and some exciting job vacancies. As always, we hope you find this useful, and encourage you to share with us any updates you would like to see included in our next newsletter!

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

Photo Credits: © UNICEF/UNI310492/Al-Droubi

Launch of the Disability Reference Group Logo

The DRG Co-Chairs are very excited to share with you the Disability Reference Group new official Logo!
  • On the left hand side are represented 3 intertwined blue, purple and red not fully closed oblong shapes. These represent the 3 main constituencies of the DRG: 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.

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DCDD Quick Guide: Towards Disability Inclusive Humanitarian Action

In their interaction with Dutch humanitarian aid agencies, DCDD felt that there was a need for providing a brief introduction into the IASC Guidelines, with a specific focus on existing practical tools to put inclusion into practice. Therefore, DCDD produced this short guide that aims to reach a hands-on audience of programme coordinators.
>> Link to the Quick Guide

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ALNAP's New State of The Humanitarian System (SOHS) Survey is Now Open for All Humanitarian Practitioners and Host Governments to Complete

The State of the Humanitarian System is a unique, independent study that analyses the size and scope of humanitarian entities and activities and assesses the overall performance and progress of humanitarian policies and responses. By giving 10-15 minutes of your time to complete the survey and share your views, you will help ALNAP understand what is working and what is not working from your perspective and what can be learned to improve humanitarian response for crisis-affected communities. This can help to shape future humanitarian action within your country and globally.
>> Link to the Survey - Deadline October 31st

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Research Report on Mainstreaming Disability in Humanitarian Action

This research has been produced within the framework of the project ‘Phase 2 – Leave No One Behind!: Mainstreaming Disability in Humanitarian Action’, which is implemented jointly with Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion Germany (HI), Christian Blind Mission Germany (CBM) and Ruhr University Bochum’s Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
>> Link to the Research Report

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IDA Statement on the Situation in Afghanistan & Haiti

The International Disability Alliance is deeply concerned about what is happening in Afghanistan and Haiti and wrote 2 statements about the situation in these countries.
>> Link to Statement on the Situation in Afghanistan
>> Link to Statement on the Situation in Haiti

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IRC’s resources on Strengthening inclusion of people with disabilities and older people through accountability mechanisms

Inclusive accountability and feedback mechanisms are required to promote meaningful participation in shaping humanitarian programs and services. Following a scoping study carried out in northwest Syria and Tanzania, IRC developed an Inclusive Client Responsiveness Guidance, complemented by a Toolbox of resources on inclusion, that are both practical and empowering for communities and front-line staff to communicate, listen and adapt responses to feedback focusing on the following three aspects:

  • Strengthening IRC’s staff knowledge and skills to identify and address access barriers.
  • Designing inclusive feedback channels and monitoring access levels
  • Closing the loop to build trust with clients and avoid fatigue

 >> Link to the Full Blog on the IASC Accountability and Inclusion Resource Portal

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RCCE Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines for Marginalized Populations

This inter-agency guidance document aims to supplement the COVAX demand creation package for COVID-19 vaccines with key considerations for humanitarian contexts and marginalized populations with specific access and communication needs. The document has 2 parts:
  • One focuses on general considerations related to RCCE and advocacy for equitable COVID-19 access for marginalized populations.
  • The other focuses on specific considerations and recommendations for each population segment, including people on the move; people with disabilities; older people; LGBTQI+ populations; people living in insecure areas or areas not controlled by the government; people experiencing homelessness; people living in informal settlements; and indigenous populations.

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UNDIS Disability-Inclusive Communications Guidelines

UNDIS has just released their Disability-Inclusive Communications Guidelines. The purpose of the document is to assist UN communications focal points and other UN staff to make all our commumunications disability-inclusive and accessible. Inclusive and accessible communications reduce bias and discrimination, and promote inclusion and participation.

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Webinar Series on Accountability to Affected Populations by PHAP

The IASC Results Group 2 co-chairs are pleased to invite you to a webinar series on accountability to affected populations, more information below:

Making collective accountability to affected populations a reality [8 Sept.]

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Launch of the Global Disability Summit Website

The website will contain all the most up-to-date information on the Summit. It will also track a set of global commitments, originally made at GDS2018, to help bring about the critical inclusion needed for the 15% of the world’s population with disabilities. Through this website, the GDS Secretariat wants to celebrate the progress towards disability inclusiveness ahead of the Summit. By following all past and future commitments and supporting stakeholders to achieve the promises they have made, the GDS Secretariat will be able to provide substantive inputs and coordination to world changing discussions.
>> Link to the GDS Website

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Vacancy - IOM Iraq Disability Inclusion Consultant (Remote)

IOM Iraq is seeking an experienced remote disability inclusion consultant to lead on an analysis of barriers experienced by IDPs and returnees with disabilities in Iraq.
 
There is no travel required, they have engaged an experienced local “In-country researcher” who will coordinate/conduct the data collection (including engaging data collectors with disabilities) with interviews starting on 14 December 2021. They are now looking for a remote consultant who can lead on the methodology, analysis and report writing remotely working in partnership with the In-country researcher across the study. Due to funding, the final report is due to IOM on 21 February 2022.
 
They are keen to hear from consultants with experience in durable solutions/protracted displacement/returnees. Additional experience with IDPs would be beneficial but not essential. 
 
If you are interested please email your resume highlighting relevant experience to Rafid Shkwana rshkwana [at] iom.int () by October 7th, 2021.
>> Link to the TOR for more information

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Vacancy - 2 UNHCR Consultancy Opportunities

UNHCR is offering a home-based consultancy to support the development of practical guidance for UNHCR and partners to guide prioritization and service provision of rehabilitation and assistive technology for refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR. 
>> Link to the advertisement of UNHCR - Consultancy for improving access to rehabilitation and assistive technology for Refugees. Home-based - Deadline 15 October 2021

A second consultancy opportunity with UNHCR is for the development of a Community-based Protection Facilitators’ Guide with the Community-based Protection Unit, Division of International Protection.
>> Link to the advertisement of UNHCR - Development of Community-Based Protection Facilitator's Guide. Home based - Deadline 03 October 2021

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 ()

 

 

 

 

 

 

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