The floods of 2021 affected at-risk groups disproportionately. In Germany, many older and disabled people died. The European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction created a roadmap 2021 to 2030. One of its key messages is that early warning systems must be accessible and that their preparedness must be inclusive and their development must prioritize accessibility. Nino Gvetadze emphasizes that there are some limitations, like the difficulty of engaging with some stakeholder groups.
One of the priorities was to really understand disaster risk. Here, more data and intersectionality are needed. Other priorities focused on strengthening disaster risk governance and investing in Disaster Risk Reduction. Recovery, resilience and preparedness also are part of the plan, as are reporting and reviews for better results. “There are some positive examples in Europe, but often things just move forward because of the individuals involved”, explains Gvetadze. Only six countries prioritize protection and safety of persons with disabilities. There are five main gaps: Lack of data, representation, accessibility of crisis communication, expertise on disability-inclusive DRR and investments into this field. “There is an urgent need to accelerate action to deduce disaster and climate related risks to save more lives.”
Dr. Diana Mantel