Including people with disabilities in disaster plan is part of a week long programme in the lead up to the International Day for Disaster Reduction launched today by the Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni.
Luveni says there should be a lot of efforts in including people with disabilities when it comes to planning for natural disasters.
She says people with disability who die around the work during disaster is extremely high.
During earthquakes and tsunamis or other natural disasters persons living with disabilities are always neglected in disaster prone parts of the world because many of those who died were unable to leave their beds or comprehend in time of need to escape
Programme Officer for Fiji Disable Persons Federation Elenoa Kaisay says they have welcomed these discussions, the first time they’ve had the chance to contribute.
Looking with people of disability as vulnerable so they do not have a voice at all even at the planning stages in our communities we are left at home
Kaisau says with the cyclone season a month away, these talks come at a critical time.
The theme for this year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction is living with Disability and Disasters.