Rwanda: NUDOR urges to consider People with Disabilities during Disasters

As the world continues to face the consequences of climate change, people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups.

Through this, the National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR), in collaboration with partners, organized a two-day consultative meeting to discuss the impact, implications, and role of climate change on the lives of persons with disabilities.

Aimable Irihose, Executive Director of the Rwanda National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, emphasized the need for special attention to persons with disabilities during disasters.

He said:“Climate change is closely linked to disability because it can also cause disability. In Rwanda, much has been done, but more efforts are still needed. There are buildings without access for people with disabilities, roads that are not accessible… these issues must be prioritized in assisting people with disabilities.”

Dr. Beth Nasiforo Mukarwego, Executive Director of NUDOR, stated that the main goal of the meeting was to discuss how to ensure persons with disabilities are not left behind or lost during disasters.

She said:“In disaster period, we must have specific strategies for people with disabilities. Although some progress has been made, such as early warning systems, more is needed to ensure they are rescued and relocated to safe places. These are the key issues this meeting aims to address, especially in the context of disasters and other problems caused by climate change.”

Alexis Hatungimana, President of the Union of Persons with Disabilities in Burundi, shared that Burundi has faced flooding and other disasters but has gaps in the implementation of laws protecting people with disabilities, something they hope to learn from Rwanda.

He said:“We have experienced many disasters, but existing laws are not enforced as effectively as in Rwanda. We’re here to learn from Rwanda’s progress.”

Emmanuel Bugingo, Director of Development at the Ministry of Local Government, highlighted the importance of such meetings in protecting the lives of persons with disabilities amid climate change.

He said:“This meeting empowers persons with disabilities to participate in decisions that affect them, especially in addressing poverty, climate change, and infrastructure that often excludes them. It amplifies their voices and enables them to contribute to development as full citizens of the country.”

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [UNCRPD] states that over 1 billion people globally live with disabilities, and 80% of them are in developing countries. In Rwanda, over 446,000 people have disabilities, according to the 2022 National Census.

The 2023 Global Disability and Climate Report showed that people with disabilities are four times more likely to experience severe impacts from disasters due to being excluded from emergency planning..