CBM Global’s disability inclusive humanitarian action practices recognised in new DRG publication

News | August 14, 2024

This World Humanitarian Day, we are excited to share that two of CBM Global’s disability inclusive humanitarian action initiatives are showcased in the compendium of 19 Good and Promising Practices launched by the Disability Reference Group.

Each of the practices was selected through a competitive process, based on alignment with the four Must Do Actions in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines (promoting meaningful participation of people with disabilities and their representative organisations, removing barriers, empowering people with disabilities and supporting them to develop their capacities and disaggregating data for monitoring inclusion) and significance in terms of innovation, applicability, and impact.

Practice 13: OPDs Participation and Empowerment, highlights our partnership approach with both local partners and organisations of people with disabilities (OPDs) in Kenya. While working with the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and OPDs for more than a decade, we have deepened the relationship and strengthened capacity leading to increased trust and more systematic OPD engagement in humanitarian responses. 

In 2022 the Horn of Africa was hit with the worst drought in 30 years, with five consecutive failed rainy seasons. CBM Global and KRCS launched an inclusive drought response to meet the immediate needs of people in Turkana, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi counties.  The years of engagement between CBM Global, KRCS, and local OPDs allowed all three organisations to respond quickly, each bringing their strengths to the response.  The local OPDs were central in the design and decision making of the project. They also played a critical role in ensuring that people with disabilities were included in the humanitarian response, and that relief goods could reach people in the most remote areas.

As the situation has begun to stabilise, CBM Global is now working with a livelihoods partner and the local OPDs to promote economic resilience in the Turkana region.

 “When other actors come here, they forget about people with disabilities.  But with KRCS, it is different.  We are always involved”.  Dyckson, Secretary for the Kalakol OPD

Practice 10: WFP Disability Inclusion Helpdesk, describes how CBM Global’s Inclusion Advisory Group provides technical support to the World Food Programme (WFP) through a helpdesk service. This enables programme teams in the WFP office to access on-demand, tailored guidance from a team of IAG Advisors.

The helpdesk offers training and advice to embed disability inclusion in programme design, monitoring and evaluation; as well as facilitating engagement with OPDs and mentoring disability inclusion champions. WFP and CBM Global recently signed a long-term agreement to maintain these advisory services.

“Our partnership with WFP enables us to deliver advice on disability inclusion where it is needed most. The new long-term agreement will make it even simpler for WFP, and other UN agencies, to collaborate with IAG.”   Tom Palmer, CBM Global  IAG Senior Advisor  

The Helpdesk has provided guidance on disability inclusive food security, nutrition, cash and social protection to teams at WFP HQ, regional and countries offices. IAG Advisors also supports WFP Country Offices to develop and implement strategic plans on disability inclusion. This has contributed to WFP delivering its commitments under the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.

 “The Helpdesk never fails to provide the relevant and timely guidance which WFP teams need to put disability inclusion in practice. IAG has been a crucial partner for us, and we’re delighted to have the long-term agreement in place.”  Kavita Brahmbhatt, WFP Senior Disability Inclusion Advisor

Learn more about our work in Humanitarian Action and our Inclusion Advisory Group.

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