Disability in Displacement – UNHCR’s Approach

1. Disability in Displacement – UNHCR’s Approach 3rd Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD New York, September 3, 2010

2. Background – Disability in Displacement • There are over 40 million displaced persons worldwide. • WHO estimate: 10% of the global population lives with a disability. • Impairment and disabilities caused by physical violence can increase in displacement due to conflict • Overall, persons with disabilities have the same protection risks as other refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) -HOWEVER, due to their disability, there is a heightened risk • Often, persons with disabilities remain invisible in both urban and camp situations

3. Challenges • Difficulties in accessing asylum, registration & protection • Marginalization, neglect, psychological and physical abuse including sexual and gender based violence • Exclusion from access to mainstream services and lack of specialized assistance • Lack of opportunities for education, including special education and skills training • Obstacles to durable solutions, including return, local integration and resettlement • Limited awareness among staff & partners

4. UNHCR’s Responses • Policy directives and accountability • Provision of targeted assistance • Capacity building and change in attitude of staffand partners • Individual identification, registration and needs management • Promoting access to national support systems

5. 1) Policy Directives and Accountability • Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) - annual participatory assessments - focus group discussions with disabled groups - accountability framework for senior managers • Executive Committee Conclusion on the protection of persons with disabilities (under consideration) • UNHCR Policy on the Employment of Persons with Disabilities

6. 2) Targeted Assistance- Examples (1) Syria - Outreach through community volunteers • Provision of Psycho-social care • Financial assistance through ATM cards • Community volunteers • - Conduct home visits • - Provide moral, material and social support • - Support access to health and social services Community outreach volunteers

7. Targeted Assistance (2) Yemen- Working with Specialized Partners • Provision of services through partners and support of local organizations • Special education and transport to schools • Community-based rehabilitation to integrate children with disabilities into communities and local schools • Mental health mainstreamed in primary healthcare centres

8. Targeted Assistance (3) Central African Republic- Self Help Groups • Support to self-help groups and organizations of persons with disabilities • Advocacy and awarenessprogrammes • Access to livelihoodopportunities

9. 3) Capacity building and change of attitude of staff and partners • Development of a global online staff learning programme for UNHCR field staff, including modules on persons with disabilities • In-country sensitization programmes • Global application of AGDM Accountability Framework

10. 4) Individual Identification, Registration and Needs Management • Individual registration of all disabled in displacement • Use of Heightened Risk Identification Tool (HRIT) for identifying persons with disabilities • Individual case management and referral to specialized partners • Support of community structures for rehabilitation

11. 5) Promoting Access to National Support Systems • Inclusion of the perspective of displaced persons with disabilities in the Inter-Agency Support Group (IASG) for the CRPD • Engage government and civil society partners in annual AGDM assessment • Support national NGOs with specialisation in care for disabled

12. Thank you. For more information, see www.unhcr.org.