IF Statement on Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

IF Statement on Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

In an upcoming statement, the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF) calls for a greater awareness and urgent action towards the needs of persons with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH) in time of conflict and humanitarian crisis. According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a humanitarian crisis includes man-made conflict, natural disasters or pandemics – or all of them. This raises concerns on human-rights and exacerbate pre-existing human rights vulnerabilities, especially for persons with disabilities.

Ensuring an independent and healthy life for individuals with SBH goes through a full realisation of their human rights. This is particularly important to provide them a protection, an access to inclusive multidisciplinary care while supporting their families and carers.

The UN recently released a global survey report on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters. In this report, key findings are reported a lack of preparedness among and exclusion of participation in community-level disaster risk reduction (DRR) decision-making and planning.

In response to these findings, this new statement outlines:

• The main obligations from the UNCRPD to be applied by the States Parties (countries and regional organisations that ratified the UNCRPD) during conflicts and humanitarian crisis;
• How conflicts and humanitarian crisis have an impact on the lives of persons with SBH;
• Why it is necessary to adopt an effective rights-based approach for implementing plans to protect persons with SBH;
• IF’s recommendations to respect the obligations held by Article 11 of UNCRPD.

Click HERE to read the full IF Statement on Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis.