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Rohingya Refugee Crisis in Bangladesh: Age and Disability Inclusion - Rapid Assessment Report

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Bangladesh
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ADH
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Key Findings Summary

A rapid assessment focusing on Age and Disability Inclusion in the Rohingya refugee response in the Cox's Bazar area in Bangladesh was undertaken from the 29th of November to the 4th December 2017 by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) and the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) Bangladesh. Key findings of the assessment are outlined below.

In general, beside some notable inclusion actors, the needs of persons with disabilities and older persons are not sufficiently being taken into account in the response.

Identification

  • There is, in general, limited awareness and practice of identifying persons with disabilities and older persons within the response.

  • Few actors are collecting Gender, Age and Disability Disaggregated Data (GADDD).

  • There is interest in increasing understanding and technical assistance for identification of persons with disabilities and older persons and collection of GADDD among response actors.

  • Recommendation: Persons with disabilities and older persons and their needs and capacities be identified and Gender, Age and Disability Disaggregated Data (GADDD) be collected by all response actors.

Accessibility - Very few services or camp terrains are accessible to persons with disabilities and older persons with functioning limitations. This impacts on persons with disabilities and older persons basic needs being met and means they are reliant on their family members for support, often in a way that reduces their dignity.

  • Information important to persons with disabilities and older persons is not reaching many of them.

  • Recommendation: That all services, communication and feedback and complaint mechanisms be accessible to persons with disabilities and older persons.

Meaningful Participation - Limited to no participation or consultation of older persons and persons with disabilities in community and camp activities and service provision and planning.

  • Recommendation: That persons with disabilities and older persons be supported to meaningfully participate in activities and decision making, particularly in relation to service provision.

Empowerment - Persons with disabilities and older persons face discrimination and barriers in the camps, including from service providers.

  • Persons with disabilities and older persons have skills and capacities that are not being recognised. They are experts on lived experience of disability and ageing. They can be used as resources.

  • Recommendation: Integrate breaking down of negative stigmas and stereotypes about persons with disabilities and older persons into response initiatives.

  • Recommendation: When identify persons with disabilities and older persons also identify their skills and capacities. Consider how they can be utilised as resources in response initiatives and their skills and capacities can be built on.

Rights - Persons with disabilities and older persons interviewed were not aware of their rights as either refugees or as persons with disabilities or older persons.

  • A general consensus among humanitarian actors consulted was that Sphere and Age and Disability Minimum Standards are not being met. There is limited knowledge on Sphere and Age and Disability Minimum Standards by many humanitarian actors and a high demand and need for capacity development and technical support.

  • There is a need for greater focused coordination and advocacy on Age and Disability Inclusion across the coordination and cluster systems.

  • Recommendation: Increase understanding, compliance and opportunities for building capacity around the Sphere and Age and Disability Inclusion Minimum Standards, including all actors have access to copies of the handbooks in Bengali & English.

  • Government, UN and other actors involved in formal registration processes for response actors ensure processes involve demonstrating understanding and commitment to comply with Sphere & Age and Disability Inclusion Minimum Standards.

  • Look at dedicated positions who can lead on coordination and advocacy across all clusters in relation to inclusion, working closely with other disability and ageing actors.