More than half of all people with disabilities live in countries affected by war and humanitarian crises. When disaster strikes, they are the hardest hit - but the last to get help.
Together we can change that.
More than half of all people with disabilities live in countries affected by war, disasters and humanitarian crises. When disaster strikes, they are the hardest hit - but the last to get help.
Together we can change that.
Sources: International Disability Alliance, UNCRPD, UNHCR, World Bank, UN Women, WHO
When disaster strikes, people with disabilities are often left behind. They cannot get to shelters because there are no ramps or accessible routes. Alarms are not heard by those who are deaf, and important information does not reach those who are blind or have an intellectual disability. While others are helped to escape or know what to do, those most in need of support are left unable to act, protect themselves or even understand what is happening. Their right to safety and survival is ignored - time and time again.
Crisis upon crisis - when vulnerability reinforces vulnerability
For many people with disabilities, it's not one crisis at a time - it's several, simultaneously. A drought hits harder when you are already living in poverty; a conflict becomes life-threatening when you lack access to information, health care or the ability to evacuate. A child who is denied education because of inaccessibility is also at risk of lifelong poverty - especially if the child is a girl, lives with a disability and lives far from the centre of society.
MyRight is working to change this. Together with our partner organisations, we ensure that people with disabilities are included in crisis preparedness, humanitarian response and reconstruction - so that no one is left behind when disaster strikes.
Support MyRight
MyRight is the only organisation in Sweden working exclusively for the rights of people with disabilities and the fight against poverty. We need your support to continue our important work.
As a monthly donor, you stand up for the equal rights of all and help people with disabilities to live in safety - even in times of crisis and conflict.
Only 6.6 per cent of all peace agreements worldwide mention persons with disabilities. Therefore, there is no plan for including this target group in the implementation of peacebuilding activities.
Peace for All is a report produced by MyRight that highlights how people with disabilities are still excluded from peace processes around the world - even though they are often the most affected by armed conflict.
The report shows how exclusion is not only about physical inaccessibility, but also about lack of information, representation and influence. It brings together experiences from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sri Lanka and Ukraine, among others, and highlights examples of how organisations of persons with disabilities contribute to peace, dialogue and reconstruction.
The results are clear: when people with disabilities are included in peace work, the whole community is strengthened - and the chances of a lasting peace increase.
Sweden claims to stand up for human rights and has signed several international conventions. Yet people with disabilities are repeatedly left out.
Although they are often the hardest hit by crises, war and poverty, only 0.2 per cent of Sweden's aid goes to people with disabilities. This is unacceptable.
MyRight demands that the government ensures that all Swedish aid - both long-term development cooperation and humanitarian aid - is inclusive and accessible to all.
Sign now - and demand that Sweden lives up to its promises.
Persons with disabilities must be included in all aid and humanitarian operations. Their needs must be taken into account in planning, implementation and monitoring - locally, nationally and internationally. All interventions must be accessible so that people with different disabilities can access information, participate in activities and receive support on equal terms.
There are over one billion people with disabilities in the world. No one should be left behind.
MyRight works to ensure that Sweden complies with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Every aid effort must contribute to strengthening rights, not creating new obstacles, exclusion or discrimination.
Everyone involved in aid, from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to smaller aid organisations, must have knowledge of disability rights, inclusion and accessibility.
Sida needs to set clear requirements for all recipients of aid funds to work inclusively, and have goals and resources to follow up the results.
Inclusive aid requires skills and responsibility at all levels.
The Swedish government must raise the level of ambition for inclusion in aid and give Sida clear goals and directives. Inclusion must become a political priority in Sweden's development policy.
Only 0.2 per cent of aid currently reaches persons with disabilities - this must change. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has a special responsibility to increase the proportion of initiatives that reach people with disabilities - both in numbers and in kronor - and to demand that everyone who receives Swedish aid funds work inclusively.
MyRight monitors developments and continuously reviews how aid funds are used.
Our demand is simple: all people should benefit from aid - no one should be left out.
A strong and autonomous civil society is the basis for real change.
MyRight supports organisations of persons with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries to influence, organise and advocate for themselves, in local community projects and international policy processes.
By strengthening the capacity of organisations, democratic structures and opportunities to influence, more people are empowered to push for inclusion, rights and equality in their communities.
Persons with disabilities are at higher risk of violence, abuse and exploitation, especially women, girls and children. The risks are particularly high during war, natural disasters and humanitarian crises. MyRight works to ensure that safety, security and violence prevention are an integral part of all aid and humanitarian work. No one should be exposed or left without protection.
People with disabilities should be able to participate fully in society and have a say in decisions that affect their lives.
Digital technology creates new opportunities for participation, education and influence, but only if it is accessible to everyone. MyRight works to strengthen digital skills and access to tools so that more people can organise themselves, make their voices heard and take part in social development.
Get the latest news on how we are working together to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities worldwide.
