Hue City: Technical Meeting to Review and Propose Integration of Disability-Inclusive Content in the Disaster Risk Reduction Plan for the 2026–2030 Period

The meeting focused on assessing the current situation, sharing practical experiences, and discussing recommendations to effectively integrate disability inclusion into the next phase of disaster prevention and response planning. More than 30 participants attended the meeting, representing various agencies, organizations, and experts, including: the Department of Health; the Standing Office of the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Hue City; the Association for the Disabled – Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans of Hue City; representatives from district-level Disabled Persons’ Associations in Quang Tri Province; the Disaster Management Policy and Technology Center under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; and staff and experts from ACDC Institute.

Mr. Dinh Man, Chairman of the Association for the Disabled – Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans of Hue City, delivered a speech sharing insights on the current situation of persons with disabilities in the local area.

At the meeting, the participants engaged in active exchanges and discussions on various important topics related to enhancing the participation of persons with disabilities in disaster prevention and response . The key topics presented included:

Key topics covered included foundational knowledge on disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction, community-based approaches to disaster risk management, the concept of barriers, and technical standards to ensure safe and accessible shelters for persons with disabilities. The meeting also analyzed the practical roles and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in the development, implementation, and monitoring of disaster prevention and response plans—ranging from policy formulation to local-level execution. In addition, participants examined the current situation in Hue City, where persons with disabilities continue to face challenges due to the lack of comprehensive data, inadequate accessible infrastructure, and limited participation in disaster preparedness and response efforts. Experiences from other localities were also shared, highlighting the importance of resource mobilization, training of personnel, and the use of disability data to design more inclusive and sustainable disaster risk reduction plans.

The participants gathered for a group photo to commemorate the meeting

During the discussion session, the participants reached a strong consensus on the necessity of developing a comprehensive and accessible disaster prevention and response plan for the 2026–2030 period. It was emphasized that persons with disabilities should not be seen merely as beneficiaries, but as active stakeholders involved meaningfully in the design, implementation, and monitoring of local disaster risk reduction plans. Numerous constructive inputs were recorded, serving as the foundation for the next steps, including: organizing an expanded consultation meeting with the participation of commune- and district-level authorities and relevant organizations (tentatively scheduled for June 10, 2025); compiling key content and recommendations to submit to competent authorities for the development of an appropriate plan; and proposing a pilot initiative for a disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction model in selected localities within Hue City.

The meeting concluded with the shared expectation that the agreed-upon discussions would soon be translated into concrete actions, contributing to ensuring equal participation and enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience for persons with disabilities in the near future.