Humanitarian Action

CBM humanitarian activities aim to equally reach and actively involve persons with disabilities, addressing specific needs while promoting and facilitating full inclusion in mainstream services. We work – together with partners – on projects that are context-specific, from preparedness to immediate life-saving needs such as food, shelter and medical work, and longer-term rehabilitation interventions in fields such as education, sanitation, healthcare, livelihood and reconstruction.

At least 15% of any disaster-affected population will be persons living with disabilities1. The barriers they face are greatly amplified, when society breaks down as a result of conflict, emergency and disaster.

MORE AT-RISK - Due to various barriers, persons with disability are among the most at-risk in their communities, being disproportionately affected by disaster and experiencing extra challenges in accessing relief and recovery services.

ESSENTIAL RESOURCE - Persons with disability and other marginalised groups have unique knowledge and experience that is not only essential to their own survival, but to the resilience of their communities as a whole.

INCREASED NUMBER - Emergency situations can increase the number of people who experience disability, both short and long-term, due to injuries sustained and lack of effective and accessible medical and rehabilitation services.

CBM humanitarian activities are collaboratively-run, involving the Federation’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU), Member Associations, Regional/Country Offices and its partner organisations. Which entity takes leadership, and other roles and responsibilities, depends on the specific context of each response/activity.

CBM humanitarian programmes are run in co-operation with partner organisations. These may be our ongoing development partners but, depending on context, we may form new relationships. Our partners include specialists in providing healthcare, rehabilitation or education services, mainstream humanitarian actors, other disability organisations and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs).

CBM aims to ensure that all planning for and response to emergency situations is inclusive of, but not restricted to, persons with disabilities, other more at-risk members of society, and their families. We do this by working with partners of all types, meaning that local, specific knowledge is harnessed and large-scale ‘mainstream’ interventions are inclusive. This strategic approach ensures no-one is left behind, while synergy with CBM development and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) work completes the process, ultimately fostering more inclusive and resilient communities.