Consultation Series on Mainstreaming Disability Support in Disaster Risk Reduction for the 2026–2030 Period

Toward a Comprehensive and Inclusive Plan

In Tam Ky City on June 11, more than 70 participants attended the consultation meeting co-organized by ACDC and the Quang Nam Provincial Department of Health, following the earlier technical meeting held on May 30, 2025.

Participants included Ms. Doan Thi Hoai Nhi – Deputy Director of the Quang Nam Department of Health; Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Khai – Deputy Director of the Irrigation Sub-Department and Deputy Chief of the Standing Office of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search & Rescue; Mr. Truong Cong Nghiem – Vice President of the Vietnam Federation on Disability and Chairman of the Da Nang Association of Persons with Disabilities; Mr. Hua Quoc Dung – Chairman of the Quang Nam Association of Persons with Disabilities; Mr. Le Tuan Tuong – Vice Chairman of the Quang Ngai Association of Persons with Disabilities; along with leaders of provincial, district, and commune-level departments, representatives from disability support associations, national and local experts, and local media representatives.

Under the guidance of a consultant, participants explored the current situation and the role of communication in supporting persons with disabilities during disasters

At the meeting, representatives from the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search & Rescue, the Quang Nam Association of Persons with Disabilities, and the Duy Xuyen Center for Culture, Sports, and Broadcasting shared the current status of disaster risk reduction efforts in Quang Nam - particularly the role of grassroots media in early warning and supporting persons with disabilities. A consultant presented the outcomes of the previous technical meeting, reviewed the integration of disability support into the 2021–2025 disaster risk reduction plan, and proposed appropriate strategies for mainstreaming disability inclusion in the upcoming planning period.

The discussion session was lively, with many heartfelt contributions focusing on the real-life challenges and practical solutions to help persons with disabilities access information, services, and support during disasters. In addition, participants proposed the inclusion of local legal documents, adjustments to the agencies responsible for providing damage data, and the addition of disability-specific damage information.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Doan Thi Hoai Nhi – Deputy Director of the Quang Nam Department of Health – emphasized: “In the context of increasingly extreme and unpredictable weather, integrating disability support into disaster risk reduction is not only a technical requirement but also a reflection of the humanitarian responsibility of the entire society.”

Experiences and Proposals from Thua Thien Hue

On June 12, in Hue City, ACDC, in collaboration with the Hue City Department of Health and the Association for the Disabled – Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans of Hue City, organized a consultation meeting to propose content for supporting persons with disabilities in the city's Disaster Risk Reduction and Search & Rescue (DRR&SAR) Plan for the 2026–2030 period. This event followed up on the outcomes of the technical meeting held on May 29, 2025. The meeting gathered nearly 50 participants from various agencies, organizations, and expert groups, including: the Department of Health; the Standing Office of the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search & Rescue of Hue City; the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hue City; district-level disaster prevention and search & rescue committees; People's Committees of wards and communes frequently affected by disasters; the Association for the Disabled – Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans of Hue City; the Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin; representatives of district-level disabled persons’ associations, the Blind Association, the Deaf Club; as well as representatives from the Disaster Management Policy and Technology Center under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and ACDC

At the meeting, participants reviewed the disability support components of the 2020–2025 Disaster Risk Reduction Plan and discussed proposed areas for integration in the 2026 – 2030 period, focusing on the following key issues:

• Strengthening the Legal Framework: Participants proposed the inclusion of specific regulations to integrate disability support into the city-level disaster prevention and search & rescue plan.
• Leveraging and Supplementing Local Resources: It was recommended to establish a reserve fund for essential supplies and specialized equipment (such as wheelchairs and communication aids) that can be quickly mobilized in the event of a disaster.
• Upgrading the Damage Data System: Participants proposed adding a data field for persons with disabilities in damage assessment reports and linking this data with the Association of Persons with Disabilities to ensure accurate and up-to-date beneficiary lists.
• Equipment and Communication: It was proposed to install multi-channel early warning systems (SMS, communal loudspeakers, electronic boards) with user-friendly interfaces for persons with visual and hearing impairments. Additionally, the development of concise instructional videos on safe evacuation for persons with disabilities was recommended.

Mr. Hoang Trong Quy – Deputy Director of the Hue City Department of Health – presented his views on disaster prevention in the city and proposed solutions to support persons with disabilities

Mr. Hoang Trong Quy – Deputy Director of the Hue City Department of Health – emphasized: “Hue City is among the localities frequently affected by natural disasters, especially floods and major storms. In such a context, persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups, facing significant challenges in accessing information, evacuating safely, and receiving necessary support. Recognizing this, the Hue city government, with the support of various agencies and organizations, has been making efforts to promote the integration of disability support measures into the city's Disaster Prevention and Search & Rescue Plan for the 2026–2030 period.”

Outcomes and Next Steps

The two consultation meetings gathered hundreds of valuable inputs—from technical solutions, such as risk maps tailored for persons with disabilities, to proposals for legal documents and intersectoral coordination procedures. These contributions will be compiled by ACDC and relevant stakeholders into a consultation report, which will be submitted to the appropriate authorities to further refine the 2026 – 2030 Disaster Prevention and Search & Rescue Plan in alignment with local realities.

This consultation series not only contributes to finalizing the framework of the 2026–2030 Disaster Prevention and Search & Rescue Plan, but also reaffirms the commitment to “leaving no one behind” when disasters strike. It marks an important starting point for localities to enhance adaptive capacity, protect the rights and legitimate interests of persons with disabilities, and contribute to building safer and more sustainable communities.