By Muhammad Amaan
The Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI) has called for the integration of disability inclusion into disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, and response systems in Kano State.
The call was made during an advocacy visit by V-PeSDI to the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
The delegation comprised the V-PeSDI Coordinator, Aftahana Dahiru Sarina, and the organisation’s Technical Assistant, Mallam Salisu Yusuf.
The visit focused on promoting Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) and strengthening emergency management systems to ensure that the needs and rights of Persons with Disabilities are adequately considered before, during, and after disasters.
Speaking during the engagement, the advocacy team noted that Persons with Disabilities are disproportionately affected by disasters, including floods, fire outbreaks, building collapses, disease outbreaks, and windstorms.
The team therefore called for the alignment of Kano State’s disaster management strategies with international and national frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and relevant disability and disaster management policies.
The delegation specifically advocated for the formal inclusion of V-PeSDI and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in disaster management committees and relevant coordination platforms.
It also called for equitable and accessible distribution of emergency relief materials, including the early identification and prioritisation of Persons with Disabilities where necessary.
The team further emphasised the need to mainstream disability inclusion across disaster preparedness, emergency response, recovery, and resilience-building programmes at both state and community levels.
Receiving the delegation, the Executive Secretary of Kano State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Isyaku A. Kubarachi, commended V-PeSDI for its continued commitment to promoting inclusive disaster management in the state.
He acknowledged SEMA’s longstanding relationship with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and noted that, although recent policy reforms have transferred disability-related responsibilities to the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and People with Special Needs, disaster management remains a shared humanitarian responsibility requiring collaboration among all stakeholders.
The Executive Secretary stressed that Persons with Disabilities are not seeking special treatment but an inclusive disaster management system that recognises and responds to their specific needs.
He also expressed the Agency’s willingness to strengthen collaboration with V-PeSDI, promote disability-inclusive disaster preparedness activities, and enhance public awareness and community sensitisation on inclusive emergency preparedness and response.
The advocacy visit resulted in an agreement to involve V-PeSDI in future consultations, disaster preparedness initiatives, and emergency response activities involving Persons with Disabilities.
The meeting also agreed on a number of key action points, including the convening of a multi-stakeholder coordination meeting involving the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and People with Special Needs; the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); SEMA; the AMG Foundation; the Nigerian Red Cross Society; V-PeSDI; and the leadership of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).
The proposed meeting is expected to strengthen coordination among stakeholders, improve mutual understanding, and develop a clear roadmap for disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction and emergency response in Kano State.
Other agreed areas of action included advocacy for the revitalisation of the Dawakin Kudu Emergency Response Centre to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity across the state.
The stakeholders also agreed to support advocacy for the establishment of a Northwest Zonal Office of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), with the aim of improving regional coordination, emergency response, and access to disability-inclusive humanitarian services.
The advocacy visits further strengthened the partnership between V-PeSDI and SEMA and reaffirmed the commitment of both organisations to ensuring that no one is left behind in disaster risk reduction and emergency response in Kano State.
