Natural-hazard related disasters continue to have a heavy toll globally, with marginalised groups, like people with disabilities, disproportionally affected. As we observe International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, it is crucial to acknowledge the often-overlooked intersection between violent conflict and natural-hazard-related disasters. In my recently published book chapter titled ‘Disability meets natural-hazard related disasters during violent conflict and forced migration’, I highlight that the impact of conflict exacerbates disaster risks, especially for people with disabilities, yet remains insufficiently addressed in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies.
The need to consider conflict when planning for disasters
Despite 19 of the top 25 most climate-vulnerable countries risks during natural-hazard related disasters being compounded by fragility, conflict and violence, until recently there has been little focus on disaster risk reduction in such contexts. For example, there is no mention of conflict in the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, despite conflict creating or exacerbating disaster risks.
The disproportionate impact of conflict and disasters on people with disabilities
Disasters and conflicts exacerbate pre-existing inequalities that people with disabilities face by creating new barriers and disrupting their usual environment and support structures and making it harder to cope. Preparedness and response efforts are often not inclusive of people with disabilities which contributes further to this disproportionate impact. For example, the 2023 Global Survey Report on persons with disabilities in disasters found that only 8% of survey respondents reported that local disaster risk reduction (DRR) plans addressed the specific needs of persons with disabilities.
The confluence of natural-hazard related disasters and violent conflict compounds the impact of crises on people with disabilities. They are starting from a disadvantaged position, with support systems already depleted by previous crises, and further affected by social exclusion, stigma, and ableism. However, despite these additional risks when natural hazard-related disasters occur in violent conflict or forced displacement contexts, little has been done to integrate these into Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction.
Key considerations for Disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction in conflict-affected contexts:
Be conflict aware and conflict sensitive
- Disability inclusive disaster risk reduction needs to start with a contextual analysis, including being aware of how experiences of violent conflict and forced displacement impact people with disabilities, increasing both their risks and vulnerabilities during natural-hazard related disasters.
- Disability inclusive disaster risk reduction needs to be conflict sensitive and do no harm given the political nature of disasters can have in conflict contexts.
- In places where violent conflict is actively occurring, disability inclusive disaster risk reduction may only be possible in pockets of the country which are calmer.
Recognising the capacities of people with disabilities
- Disability inclusive disaster risk reduction needs to be trauma informed and acknowledge how trauma from conflict can affect people’s ability to prepare for and respond to natural-hazard related disasters.
- The capacities and coping strategies of people with disabilities should be factored into disability inclusive disaster risk reduction efforts in violent conflict and forced displacement contexts.
- It is also important to remember that people with disabilities are not homogeneous. Their diverse identities also need to be considered, as it impacts their experiences of crises.
Document and research experiences of DRR
- More research is needed into the experiences of conflict affected or forcibly displaced persons with disabilities who then experience a natural-hazard related disaster, to better understand their risks and capacities.
- Better documentation is also needed of good practices of disability inclusive disaster risk reduction in violent conflict or forced displacement, so that these can be shared and built upon by those in this space.
Collaborate across the disability, disaster, climate, conflict, and peace specialisms
- All disaster risk reduction efforts in conflict or displacement contexts should include people with disabilities in their activities.
- In addition, more collaboration is needed between stakeholders and agencies across the disability, disaster, climate, conflict, and peace specialisms to ensure the risk to people with disabilities are reduced and their right to “protection and safety … in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters”, under Article 11 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), is upheld.
Parts of the key insights are extracted from the chapter: Disability meets natural-hazard related disasters during violent conflict and forced migration, in An Introduction to Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction by Shaun Grech and Jörg Weber, Editors, Copyright © 2025 by Routledge. Reproduced by permission of Taylor & Francis Group.