Our Disability-Inclusive DRR Cycle
Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) is a fundamental approach to disaster management that ensures the needs and voices of people with disabilities are at the center of all disaster planning, response, and recovery efforts. People with disabilities face unique barriers to safety. Samrthyam’s advocacy mandate: disability-friendly services, priority evacuation of injured persons, trained first responders, accessible public transport, and comprehensive rehabilitation plans for victims of road accidents who sustain disabilities.
- Risk Identification & Assessment: We work with your teams to conduct inclusive risk assessments, identifying the specific vulnerabilities and capacities of persons with disabilities within the community before a disaster strikes.
- Prevention & Risk Reduction: Our experts help you develop and implement long-term prevention strategies, including building disaster-resilient infrastructure with a gender and accessibility lens from the ground up.
- Preparedness: We help you create robust and inclusive preparedness plans. This includes developing accessible early warning systems, communication protocols, and providing specialized training for first responders.
- Response: Our protocols ensure that your emergency response is effective for all. We provide strategies for accessible evacuation, transportation, and the setup of inclusive temporary shelters.
- Recovery & Reconstruction: We provide on-the-ground technical expertise for post-disaster reconstruction, ensuring that communities “Build Back Better” with fully accessible housing, schools, and public infrastructure.
Pioneering Work and Proven Experience
Setting the National Standard
We authored India’s first handbook on ‘Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction’, which is now used as a reference for Standard Operating Procedures by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Post-Disaster Reconstruction
Our teams have conducted on-the-ground accessibility audits for major post-disaster reconstruction efforts in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
High-Level Government Partnership
We have served as key workshop facilitators and expert trainers for the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) since 2009.