The event, hosted at Mansa Wally Lodge, Pakalinding, emphasised strengthening disability in all disaster risk reduction programs. The seminar wrapped up with a resounding call to action: concrete strategies and recommendations must be implemented to ensure every facet of disaster management in The Gambia is inclusive of persons with disabilities.
The NDMA, GFD, and development partners assured commitments to sustaining advocacy, technical support, and capacity building, so that no one is left behind in disaster risk management and resilience building.
At the event, Mr Baboucarr Ceesay - NDMA's Director of Operations, who is also Lead resource person, introduced the agency’s organisational structure, governance mechanisms, and funding frameworks.
He outlined how disaster management currently operates in The Gambia and set the context for integrating disability considerations.
His assistant presenter covered assessment procedures, highlighting the importance of adapting these processes for inclusivity.
Participants also identified major barriers persons with disabilities face from Physical Barriers, Social and Political/Institutional Barriers, while also making recommendations for Mainstreaming Disability in Disaster Risk Reduction Activities.
They also called for strategic partnerships between NDMA and the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) in addressing disaster management issues;
His Worship Muhammed Krubally, Principal Magistrate at the Banjul Magistrates' Court, who is also the Chairman of GFD and Chair of the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities, emphasised foundational rights and principles enshrined in national and international frameworks:
Magistrate Krubally cited Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), The Gambia’s Persons with Disabilities Act (2021), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and African Union Protocol.
He highlighted the non-negotiable necessity of upholding principles such as individual autonomy, non-discrimination, full and effective participation, accessibility, and respect for diversity enshrined in the Person with Disabilities Act.
Madam Fanta Darboe from Childfund The Gambia on her part applauded the initiative and assured of their open-door policy towards promoting rights of persons with disabilities.
Moreover, this participatory seminar offered advanced training on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The main objectives were to: Empower Persons with Disabilities to advocate for disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Activities; Guarantee the ongoing involvement of PWDs in DRR planning, response, and recovery at all levels; Review and adapt disaster assessment tools to accurately reflect the lived realities of PWDs during both plenary and group sessions.
