Persons with disabilities (PWD) are often disproportionately affected during disasters, facing significant barriers in physical access, communication, and social support. These challenges make it increasingly difficult for them to prepare for, respond to, and recover from such crises.

To address this critical issue and ensure that no one is left behind, the National Alliance of Humanitarian Actors in Bangladesh (NAHAB), in association with the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD), hosted a groundbreaking three-day training program ‘Disability Inclusive Search, Rescue, and Evacuation (DISRE)’ in Kurigram from December 8-10, 2024, under the Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership (BPP). The BPP partnership is led by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), with technical support from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Participants practicing sign language and essential techniques for communicating with individuals with hearing and speech disabilities during the training

Kurigram, a northern district in Bangladesh, is regularly devastated by severe floods, flash floods, and extreme cold waves, affecting millions of lives. However, the district has long struggled with limited disaster management resources and a shortage of trained personnel, which exacerbates the challenges faced by the community, as explained by local NGO activist Komola Rani. Over the years, Solidarity has worked extensively in disaster management, but, as Komola points out, their previous efforts lacked a focus on people with disabilities. “We’ve worked on disaster management for over 30 years, but we never had the training to specifically help those with disabilities. This was a critical gap,” she explained.

The DISRE training aims to address this gap by enhancing the capacity of local responders to provide better support to persons with disabilities (PWDs) before, during, and after disasters, ensuring they receive the care and attention they need.

Participants taking notes to ensure they can rehearse and practice in the field later, preparing for success in the practical demonstration session

A total of 32 participants took part in the Kurigram training, includingrepresentatives from the fire service, scouts, Red Crescent Society, entrepreneursfrom the District Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Federation ofBangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), representatives fromlocal NGO, and civil society members. Two other similar sessions were conducted inBagerhat and Cox’s Bazar in November 2024, gathering district disastermanagement committees, Cyclone Preparedness Program, district administrationand key stakeholders to learn about disability-inclusive disaster preparedness.

The trainer providing instructions during the training, guiding participants through essential techniques and strategies.

The DISRE training program covered several essential topics, includingunderstanding the unique vulnerabilities and risks faced by persons with variousdisabilities during disasters, exploring barriers to their inclusion in disaster risk reduction, and implementing strategies for their inclusion in search, rescue, andevacuation operations. Participants also learned how to effectively disseminatedisability-inclusive disaster warnings and alerts at the local level. The trainingprovided hands-on experience with assistive devices, sign language, and othercommunication methods essential for evacuations, ensuring that all individuals,regardless of ability, can access critical information during emergencies.Masud Rana, a local firefighter, shared his insights from the training: “During orbefore, or after any disaster, it is primarily the Fire Service that leads rescueoperations, but in my ten-year career, I had never received such training before.”Komola Rani, who had previously pointed out the limitations, is now happy with theknowledge and skills she gained from the training. She said, “The skills we'velearned will help us ensure that no one is left behind during these events.”

This initiative is fostering resilience by ensuring that persons with disabilities aresupported before, during, and after disasters. The DISRE training is helping create amore inclusive and effective disaster response system. The success of this initiativedemonstrates the crucial importance of disability-inclusive disaster preparedness inbuilding resilient, equitable communities.

Mr. Asim Kumar Banik, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), delivering his speech as the Chief Guest during the closing session.

Mr. Asim Kumar Banik, Deputy Secretary of MoDMR attended as Chief Guest in theevent. He underscored the importance of establishing an inclusive disastermanagement system. He highlighted that an inclusive approach is not only a matterof ensuring accessibility for PWDs but also a critical aspect of building a resilientdisaster management framework. "We must create systems that work for everyone,regardless of their abilities," he emphasized, reinforcing the need for a collectiveeffort to build inclusive disaster preparedness across the country.