Remote village in Nepal

“During the rainy season, we get stuck in the village because the wheelchairs cannot move in the mud and our roads are really bad. We mostly now depend on the goodwill of people to get things done, like getting supplies from the shop.” – quote from field research

Have you considered how climate change disproportionately affects persons with disabilities? Stigmatization, poverty, and systemic exclusion from climate adaptation and support mechanisms mean that climate justice for this population is often overlooked and remains under-researched.

Along with Disabled People’s Organisations Denmark (DPOD), Mission East commissioned a pilot study in Nepal, Uganda, Kenya, and Afghanistan. Summary conclusions from the survey “Inclusive Climate Solutions: Lessons for Disability-Inclusive Climate Programming and Advocacy in Fragile Contexts” are available now on our website.

“Structure exclusion was noticed in all four countries where we conducted interviews. Persons with disabilities face physical, social, and economic barriers that make them more vulnerable and must be taken into account in climate resilience action. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution,” says Betina Gollander-Jensen, Secretary-General of Mission East. “And maybe the foremost important finding – namely to include and have that direct interaction with the persons with disabilities, which is key in breaking down prejudices and creating meaningful and effective engagements.”

Read the summary here: Disability and Climate Resilience Study