*ZAFOD OBSERVES THAT DUTY BEARERS LACK THE PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE RELATED TO DISABILITY INCLUSIVE DISASTER*

 The Zambia federation of Disability Organisations(ZAFOD) has observed that duty bearers lack the practical knowledge for implementation of supportive policies related to disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction where they are present.

Addressing Journalists in Lusaka today, ZAFOD Board Vice President Paul Mbewe said persons with disabilities or their representative organisations are often not included or consulted in disaster risks reduction related policy making or practice.

Mr Mbewe said there is a clear need for developing strategies aimed at institutionalizing disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction.

"Based on the aforementioned engagements, ZAFOD observed that duty bearers lacked the practical knowledge for implementation of inclusive disaster risk reduction or slow implementation of supportive policies related to disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction where they were present. ZAFOD also observed that persons with disabilities or their representative organisations were often not included or consulted in a disaster reduction related policy making or practice. This goes to show that there is a clear need for developing strategies aimed at institutionalizing disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction," Mr Mbewe said.

He disclosed that ZAFOD also undertook to review the DMMU policy on key issues for persons with disabilities, more specifically identifying gaps in strategic objectives for inclusive disaster risk reduction.

"Additionally, with the  declaration of the state of emergency in the face of the drought crisis and the consequent disaster management and mitigation Unit (DMMU) multi sectorial response plan for March 2024 to April 2025 ZAFOD also undertook to review the DMMU policy on key issues for persons with disabilities, more specifically identifying gaps in strategic objectives for inclusive disaster risk reduction,"Mr Mbewe said.

He stated that the policy review was done within the framework of the national disaster management policy review that was done within the framework of the national Disaster management policy (NDMP) for the period of 2015 to 2020 which builds upon the 2005 National Disaster Policy (NDP) and incorporates emerging trends, including climate change considerations.

"The emergent issues and their associated gaps identified on the NDMP of 2015 – 2020 included: i) lack of specific focus on persons with disabilities; ii) limited participation of persons with disability in decision-making; iii) lack of capacity strengthening and awareness strategy focusing on persons with disability; and, iv) non-existence of a comprehensive disability data dashboard and information management system, among other findings.The essence of conducting the review was not to finger point,but to identify the gaps and conduct evidence-based advocacy to include the needs of persons with disabilities as efforts continue to develop a new or update the policy,"He said.

He added that DMMU is a key way for persons with disabilities to access results and deliverables in support of disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction critical in ensuring wellbeing and resilience through its services. 

Mr Mbewe has since called on the DMMU and other relevant state actors to consult and fully engage persons with disabilities as key stakeholders and contributing actors to the development and implementation of national and local strategies to mitigate and manage disasters.