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An undignified disaster reality for Australians with disability
Kelsey Chapman1, Michael Norwood1, Camila Shirota1
1Inclusive Futures, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, Australia; and The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, Australia.
People with disabilities face human rights violations during disasters in Australia. Embedding dignity in disaster management is crucial for equitable protection and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Disaster management
- Human rights law
- Social equity
Background:
- International frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sendai Framework mandate equitable human rights protection during disasters.
- Despite these frameworks, disaster management in Australia, particularly for people with disabilities, is marked by human rights violations, indignity, and corruption.
- Australia faces ongoing environmental and health crises, exacerbating risks for vulnerable populations, especially individuals with disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical need for embedding dignity within disaster management and recovery processes.
- To examine the risks of human rights violations and restricted access to resources for people with disabilities during disaster events.
- To advocate for improved outcomes and safeguarding of human rights for individuals with disabilities in disaster contexts.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of disaster management policies and practices in Australia.
- Review of international human rights conventions and disaster risk reduction frameworks.
- Case study examination of recent disaster events and their impact on people with disabilities.
Main Results:
- Disaster management and recovery efforts in Australia frequently fail to uphold the human rights of people with disabilities.
- Vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities, experience significant barriers to accessing essential resources and support systems.
- Instances of indignity and corruption are prevalent, undermining equitable protection and recovery.
Conclusions:
- Integrating dignity into disaster management is essential for protecting the human rights of people with disabilities.
- Addressing systemic failures in disaster response is critical to ensure equitable outcomes and enhance resilience for all citizens.
- Policy and practice reforms are urgently needed to safeguard the rights and well-being of people with disabilities during crises.
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