A/HRC/28/76 planning process, as well as the responsibility of the State to lead the recovery process. There is also a risk that some important issues will be postponed to recovery and reconstruction, and will thus not be included in the State’s development strategy. Another key challenge is that reconstruction efforts, an essential part of recovery, are too often neglected. 83. In the rush to provide humanitarian aid and save lives, less attention is paid to the human rights protection that must be provided to people affected by disasters and conflicts. In addition, not much attention is paid to the rights of vulnerable persons. 84. Access to water was identified as a significant challenge following disasters and was described as fundamental to prevent rape. Women are most vulnerable when they are required to walk long distances to reach water. In addition, there are difficulties in the provision of water supply based on international standards for hygiene and clean water. Women’s particular requirements should be assessed in the case of emergency response. Lack of access to aid supplies, information, communication and services also needs to be addressed if the inclusiveness of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction policies is to be guaranteed. 85. States must step up their efforts in the prevention of domestic violence and genderbased violence in post-conflict and post-disaster situations. Information and comprehensive assistance are needed to support women and children survivors of violence both in and outside the emergency areas, for example in host communities. It is important to offer special attention, which integrates a cultural approach, to displaced persons, persons with disabilities, LGBT persons, older persons and indigenous peoples. States, through the implementation of the four pillars described in Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) – participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery – should promote the pivotal role that women play in conflict management, conflict resolution and sustainable peace, because they are still excluded from participation in peace processes. Procedures and mechanisms should be developed to involve women in protection, prevention and relief and recovery stages. Pursuant to Council resolution 1820 (2008), States are also required to establish the framework and mechanism to protect women, girls and children from violence, including sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. 86. It is also important to avoid political favouritism so that relief is guaranteed for all concerned, not just for political supporters. Governments should not use humanitarian attention for political purposes, and political parties should not use emergency situation for better positioning themselves among the population. 87. Other identified challenges include: (a) Lack of awareness of the Operational Guidelines on the Protection of Persons in Situations of Natural Disasters; (b) Lack of adequate internalization of the duties and rights with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights in situations of natural disasters, essential for their proper implementation; (c) Poor decentralization of policies applied to disaster prevention and disaster risk reduction; (d) Lack of inclusiveness of and accessibility to at-risk groups, including women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples, as well as the lack of involvement and partnership with private actors. 88. Laws should be in place for disaster prevention and mitigation, and States should be obliged to allocate the resources required to improve the living conditions of persons affected by disaster and conflict. 20