A/HRC/44/41
procedure.62 In order to ensure that persons with disabilities are not discriminated against
while seeking to report a violation or to obtain effective remedies, such mechanisms should
be inclusive and accessible, including through the provision of procedural and age- and
gender-appropriate accommodations (see A/HRC/37/25).63 Specific confidential processes
should be followed, taking into account the barriers persons with disabilities might face.
69.
Other processes linked to the principle of accountability of humanitarian actors to
affected populations must also be inclusive of persons with disabilities. Indeed, humanitarian
actors have a duty to make sure their assistance generates the best possible outcomes for all
internally displaced persons, including those who may be less visible, such as persons with
disabilities.64
F.
Accessibility of services and infrastructure
70.
Persons with disabilities often do not enjoy equal access to facilities and aid and may
be excluded from relief efforts (CRPD/C/HTI/CO/1, para. 20 (c) and CRPD/C/UKR/CO/1,
para. 22). They may be remotely settled from essential services such as health centres,
schools, water and sanitation or collection points. They may have lost their assistive devices
such as tricycles, wheelchairs, canes or crutches and not be informed of any procedure to
obtain replacements, or the camp terrain may be too rough or rocky for wheelchairs. 65
71.
Temporary shelters may not have ramps, wide doorways, accessible toilets or clear
signage. Persons with disabilities may be excluded from financial grants or in-kind
construction kits because of a lack of accessible information and assumptions and prejudices
about their ability to build a shelter. The material distributed may include standard items,
such as tents, sleeping mats and cooking utensils, that may not be adapted for persons with
disabilities. In urban contexts, persons with disabilities are sometimes accommodated with
host families who might not be aware of their support needs.66
72.
Water and sanitation infrastructures may not be designed in a manner that allows
everyone to use them in a safe and dignified manner. There may be no system in place to
support persons with disabilities, including older persons, to fetch their own water. Latrines
may lack ramps, wide doorways, seats and handrails, obliging wheelchair users to crawl on
their hands on unclean and unsanitary floors. Some toilets and bathrooms do not provide
enough privacy and security, particularly for women with disabilities. Furthermore, sanitary
and incontinence products may not be available, requiring increased access to water and
sanitation facilities.
73.
Food security can also be a risk for displaced persons with disabilities. Households
that include persons with disabilities are more likely to experience food insecurity, because
they possess fewer economic resources and work opportunities, may require more health
services and may incur extra costs and expenditure related to disability. 67 Food distribution
points or information related thereto are often inaccessible. The food distributed may not be
prepared or adapted for those who have difficulty in chewing or swallowing, or not be
suitable for persons with particular nutritional requirements, in particular children with
developmental issues and older persons. Persons with disabilities may lack adapted devices
such as easy-to-grip utensils or straws. They may furthermore receive a lower level of priority
62
63
64
65
66
67
See International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 2 (3) and Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities, article 13. See also Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a
Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and
Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law and Global Protection Cluster Handbook for
the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons, at www.unhcr.org/4794b4e12.pdf.
See also Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, article 13, and Human Rights Council
resolution 37/22.
Inter-Agency Standing Committee guidelines, p. 43.
See contributions from Amnesty International, Light for the World and UNFPA.
See contribution from UNFPA. See also International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, All Under One Roof: Disability-inclusive Shelter and Settlements in Emergencies (2015).
Inter-Agency Standing Committee guidelines, p. 93.
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