The impact of disasters is greater in the Western hemisphere than anywhere in the world except the Asian continent. Around a quarter (21%) of all disasters occurring in the world between 2008 and 2017 took place in the Region of the Americas, creating 254,334 victims, and causing damage equivalent to approximately US$592 billion. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 declares it urgent and essential to predict disaster risk, plan measures, and reduce risk in order to protect people.
The purpose of the all-inclusive and accessible approach is to reduce the risks that disproportionately affect populations in conditions of vulnerability and, particularly, people with disabilities, as reflected in greater mortality, morbidity, and difficulty in disaster situations. The fact that people with disabilities are usually excluded from disaster risk management policy-making and planning increases their vulnerability and creates difficulties in responding to victims after a disaster. For all of these reasons, efforts should be made to include people with disabilities and their families in disaster risk management, and greater emphasis should be placed on preparedness for emergency and disaster response, especially in essential areas like health.
INGRID-H— Disability Inclusion in Hospital Disaster Risk Management —is a “evaluation – action” methodology intended to improve the level of inclusion of people with disabilities in health disaster risk management, particularly in hospital preparedness and response to emergencies and disasters.
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