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Sunday, February 26, 2017
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THE UNITED Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has been highlighting the needs and strengths of various members of society. In 2013, the focus was on persons with disabilities (PWDs). For 2014, the vulnerability and strengths of the elderly were highlighted. Disaster management should also focus on the active participation of everyone in ensuring resilience of communities during disasters.
PWDs are disproportionately affected by disasters. A UN survey revealed that if a disaster occurs, 80 percent of PWDs interviewed said they would be unable to evacuate immediately without difficulty, while six percent said they would not be able to evacuate at all.
Older persons, or people aged 60 years and above, also suffer disproportionately from disasters. Seventy-five percent of those killed by Hurricane Katrina in the United States were over 60; they comprise 15 percent of the population in New Orleans. During the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, 56 percent of those who died were 65 years old and above, and they comprised 23 percent of the population.
Our PWDs are twice more likely to lose their lives or be injured than any other person, but their disability does not mean inability. Actually, they can and should be active partners in making communities safer and more resilient.
The elderly can also make positive contributions to disaster risk reduction and management. We must tap their knowledge and experience. The World Health Organization suggests that we seek the help of older people in providing vital information on local risks to health since they are familiar with local history, geography and culture. They can also be sought for advice on response and recovery efforts, owing to their experience and wisdom.
Yes, the country’s disaster risk reduction and management programs should be all-encompassing, including PWDs and older persons. Their special needs should be addressed as well.
Building resilience should be everybody’s attitude. With this kind of mindset, we can promote the scaling up of government programs to rectify social and economic structures that breed disaster risk and trap the poor and the vulnerable in the vicious cycle of risk and poverty.
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