Child Protection

Persons with disabilities are often among the most affected during disasters, yet their needs and perspectives are frequently overlooked in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. In The Gambia, gaps in accessibility, assessment tools, and participation continue to limit the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) planning and implementation.

In response to this challenge, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), with financial support through ChildFund, convened a two‑day seminar focused on integrating disability inclusion into DRR activities. The event was held at Mansa Wally Lodge in Pakalinding and brought together key stakeholders from government institutions, disability organisations, and development partners.

The seminar emphasised the need to systematically strengthen disability inclusion across all disaster risk reduction programmes. It concluded with a strong call to action, underscoring the importance of translating discussions into concrete strategies and practical recommendations that ensure disaster management in The Gambia is inclusive of persons with disabilities.

The NDMA, the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), and development partners reaffirmed their commitment to sustained advocacy, technical support, and capacity building to ensure that no one is left behind in disaster risk management and resilience‑building efforts.

During the seminar, Mr Baboucarr Ceesay, NDMA’s Director of Operations and lead resource person, presented the agency’s organisational structure, governance arrangements, and funding mechanisms. He provided an overview of how disaster management currently operates in The Gambia, setting the context for the integration of disability considerations. His assistant presenter followed with a session on disaster assessment procedures, highlighting the importance of adapting assessment tools to reflect inclusivity.

Participants identified key barriers faced by persons with disabilities, including physical, social, and institutional constraints, and developed recommendations for mainstreaming disability into DRR activities. They also called for stronger strategic collaboration between NDMA and GFD to address disability‑related concerns within disaster management frameworks.

His Worship Muhammed Krubally, Principal Magistrate at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, Chairman of GFD, and Chair of the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities, underscored the legal and human rights foundations guiding disability inclusion. He referenced international and national instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), The Gambia’s Persons with Disabilities Act (2021), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and relevant African Union protocols. He emphasised the importance of principles such as individual autonomy, non‑discrimination, full participation, accessibility, and respect for diversity.

Speaking on behalf of ChildFund The Gambia, Madam Fanta Darboe commended the initiative and reiterated ChildFund’s commitment to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities through an open‑door policy.

The participatory seminar provided advanced training on Disability‑Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction. Its key objectives were to strengthen the advocacy capacity of persons with disabilities, ensure their continued involvement in DRR planning, response, and recovery at all levels, and review and adapt disaster assessment tools to better capture the lived realities of persons with disabilities.