Last December, Handicap International launched an inclusion project for disabled people involved in emergency situations in Nepal. Irina Ulmasova and Amina Bomzan, who are current in Nepal for Handicap International, explain more about the initiative.

 
What is Handicap International's role in Nepal?
The aim of this project is to ensure, and prepare for, the inclusion of people with disabilities during emergency situations following a natural disaster. The project has two objectives. Firstly, it aims to ensure people with disabilities are taken into account when preparing emergency relief responses to the natural disasters that frequently hit the country. Next, it helps prepare local organizations regularly involved in providing aid to people with disabilities to take useful actions during these disasters. This project will run until February 2009 and focus on three key areas: an awareness-raising program offering workshops to provide information and highlight disability education and communication methods; training local staff working with people in disabling situations; working with bodies devoted to emergency preparation to ensure they remember to include the needs and rights of people with disabilities in the aid process.

 
How many people will benefit from the project?
There are more than 8500 people with disabilities and 27 organizations that are going to benefit from this project, which is financed by the humanitarian aid department of the European Commission. People in the immediate family and social circles of a disabled person will also feel a positive impact and benefit indirectly from the project. That's why whole communities stand to benefit. Awareness raising activities are currently being performed in eight different districts; the project is being coordinated from our base in Katmandu. People in disabling situations are included in and consulted regularly about the implementation of the project. Lastly, each local committee includes people with disabilities on their staff.

 
What results are expected from the project?
The main objective of this "pilot" project is to ensure people with disabilities are more effectively taken into account when preparing for the natural disasters that hit Nepal on a regular basis, based on a variety of information and communication media, to ensure they are included in all of the projects run by organisations specialising in the field of disability or disaster preparation. By building on this experience and the skills acquired, Handicap International will be able to more effectively manage the inclusion of people in disabling situations during future disasters. The project will have an impact at many different levels, both geographically and institutionally.