Persons With Disabilities Vulnerability to Disaster Prevention Strategies: Lessons for Disaster Management and Reduction Planners

In this modern world through several international and national legal instruments the participation of persons with disabilities in the socio-economic and political development of their respective societies with limited impediments has become a fundamental principle. Therefore, there cannot be any genuine justification for the relaxation of this human right especially when disasters strike. Unfortunately, in most nations, the policies and legislations thrust of disaster prevention, reduction; and management in many instances are framed towards abled-bodied persons. Of recent, the world has witnessed increasing intensity and frequency of weather associated calamities and emergency situations mainly caused by unprecedented climate change. There are some scientific evidences that suggest that persons with disabilities are two to four times more likely to be injured or die when a disaster strikes compare to the rest. The rationale for this systematic literature review was to interrogate the methods of preventing persons with disabilities vulnerability to disaster, share knowledge to spark and inspire processes that will usher rapid growth from all directions. A systematic review of the literatures using information collected from different sources was actuated. Google search engine and others were used to search for articles. Only peer-reviewed articles published after 1999 were selected except extracts of fundamental mileage. However, articles published by staunch international organizations working in the area for years and produced indefatigable knowledge were stealthily appraised. The study revealed that to prevent persons with disabilities vulnerability to disaster there are different strategies that can be applied which include: political will, disability awareness raising, taking ownership of strategies, physical barriers removal, attitudinal barriers elimination, training on disability and related matters, promotion of human rights principles, empowerment of organizations of/for persons with disabilities, regular conduct of studies, poverty reduction, disability friendly information sharing; and persons with disabilities participation in national strategies formulation.