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No safe recovery: The impact of explosive ordnance contamination on affected populations in Iraq

HUMANITY & INCLUSION (HI)
October 2021

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Based on desk review and qualitative interviews with land release operators, local and international humanitarian actors, government representatives, community leaders, survivors and members of their families and communities, this report identifies and describes the negative impact of Explosive Ordnance (EO) contamination on affected communities in the Ninewa governorate, Iraq. EO continues to pose a threat to people’s lives, their safety, and their access to land and other resources and services in contaminated areas in Ninewa. It also hampers the efforts of humanitarian and development actors. Moreover, certain groups, such as women and persons with disabilities are likely to be more vulnerable to the reverberating effects of EO contamination.

The report focused on Iraq’s heavily populated governorate of Ninewa, home to the cities of Mosul, Sinjar, and Tel Afar. Demining bombed-out cities costs six times as much as it does to clear a rural setting.

COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor

2020

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Evidence is emerging that persons with disabilities are being disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and emergency measures being taken by governments worldwide. As governments rush to respond to the virus, it is more critical than ever to guarantee that measures taken are fully inclusive of persons with disabilities and prevent human rights violations from taking place.

 

With the endorsements of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Mr Dainius Pūras, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ms Catalina Devandas Aguilar, a coalition of six disability rights organisations is today launching a major international monitoring initiative entitled “COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor” to conduct rapid independent monitoring of state measures concerning persons with disabilities. The first element of this global initiative is the launch of two surveys requesting official information from governments and requesting the testimonies of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations. The surveys aim to collect information about what states are doing to protect core rights of persons with disabilities including the rights to life, access to health and essential services.

The Sphere Handbook 2018

SPHERE
2018

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The Sphere Handbook is the oldest initiative in the field of humanitarian standards. It has been field-tested over twenty years and  regularly updated to ensure it remains fit for purpose in a changing world. What does not change is its rights-based foundations: people have the right to assistance, the right to life with dignity, the right to protection and security, and the right to fully participate in decisions related to their own recovery.

The Sphere Handbook 2018 is the fourth edition.

The Sphere Handbook comprises the Humanitarian Charter, the Protection Principles, the Core Humanitarian Standard, and minimum humanitarian standards in four vital areas of response:

Water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH)
Food security and nutrition
Shelter and settlement
Health

 

There are numerous references to people with disabilities through the handbook.

Greece: Refugees with Disabilities Overlooked, Underserved

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
January 2017

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Refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants with disabilities are not properly identified and do not enjoy equal access to services in reception centres in Greece.  On the basis of research carried out in mainland Greece and on the Greek islands in October 2016 and January 2017, and follow-up phone interviews in December 2016 and January 2017, Human Rights Watch found that asylum seekers and refugees with disabilities are not properly identified in Greece, in part because of a rushed registration process and the need for better guidance for staff. Without an adequate understanding of the scale and needs, aid agencies cannot respond effectively. Problems with equal access to water and sanitation services, food distribution, shelter, and health care including mental health and psychosocial support are reported.

Sphere guidelines : humanitarian charter and minimum standards in humanitarian response|3rd Ed

THE SPHERE PROJECT
2011

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This handbook establishes shared principles and a set of universal minimum standards in core areas of humanitarian response. It provides a new chapter on protection principles, which considers the protection and safety of populations affected by disaster or armed conflict as an integral part of humanitarian response. It describes core standards for effective and accountable humanitarian response and advocacy, and outlines the minimum standards in the following four technical chapters: water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion; food security and nutrition; shelter, settlement and non-food items; and health action. Each minimum standard highlights key actions, key indicators and guidance notes
This edition also addresses emerging issues, such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, early recovery of services and livelihoods, cash transfers, and civil-military relations. Understanding and supporting local responses to disaster is a priority reflected in the whole handbook, as is reinforcing the capacity of local actors
This handbook is useful to all working in humanitarian response

Disability and development : a contribution to promoting the interests of persons with disabilities in German development cooperation

FISCHER, Anja
FRANKE, Katja
ROMPEL, Matthias
Eds
November 2006

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This policy paper was produced by the organization GTZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Written in accessible, plain language, the paper aims to demonstrate the importance of mainstreaming the interests of people with disabilities into national poverty reduction strategies and development frameworks. The paper highlights the important role of international organisations and bilateral donors. It also makes clear the German Development Cooperation's (DC) policy to promote a rights-based approach to inclusive development and the social model of disability. The paper concludes with examples of German DC project activities and a review of the situation for disabled people in Germany. This paper would be useful for anyone with an interest in mainstreaming disability in development cooperation, in particular, disability policy-makers, NGOs, and disabled people working in advocacy and development

Situation of disabled people in the enlarged European Union : the European Action Plan 2006-2007

Commission of the European Communities
November 2005

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This action plan follows the European Union Disability Strategy of 2005. It relates specifically to mainstreaming disability in policy formulation and is intended to ensure a coherent follow-up to the European Year of Disabled People. The paper recognises that disability policy is most effectively dealt with at national level but aims to provide a dynamic framework to develop a broader EU Disability Strategy. It includes important information and data on the employment situation of people with disabilities, as well as laying down guidelines for developing accessible goods, services and inclusive policies. This paper would be useful to anyone with an interest in mainstreaming disability in development cooperation, in particular policy-makers, NGOs and disabled people's organisations

iDiS : International research unit disability studies

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This website highlights the International Research Unit in Disability Studies programme, research, publications, and activities. Links are provided to related pdf articles, a scientific book series 'Disability Studies: Body - Power - Difference' and other research centres

D+C|magazine for development and cooperation

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www.DandC.eu is a website that focuses on international development and explores how it relates to other fields of policy-making, such as security, peace, trade, business, public health and education. D+C stands for Development and Cooperation. We publish in two languages. The German version is E+Z Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit.
We specialise in opinion journalism and analytical essays. The website shares the name D+C/E+Z with our print magazine, which is published every two months, and a monthly e-paper

Disability in the European Union

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

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This website describes the long-term strategy of the EU for the active inclusion of people with disabilities, with links to related resource documents

Young power in social action (YPSA)

YOUNG POWER IN SOCIAL ACTION (YPSA)

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YPSA is a voluntary, non-profit, social development organization registered with a number of different departments of Bangladesh Government, focusing on youth participation in development programmes. It envisions a society without poverty where everyone’s basic needs and rights are ensured. YPSA exists to participate with the poor and vulnerable population with all commitment to bring about their own and society’s sustainable development. The website contains a number of reports and publications, as well as details on the various YPSA projects, the focus of which range from health to human rights to economic development

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