Community Advocacy Meeting to Promote Climate Justice and Health Resilience for People with Disabilities

Date: November 12, 2024
Location: Gopalgonj District
Organized by: Samprity Aid Foundation

Introduction: On November 12, 2024, Samprity Aid Foundation organized a community advocacy meeting to promote climate justice and ensure health resilience for people with disabilities in Gopalgonj District. The meeting aimed to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities in the face of climate change and to discuss strategies for enhancing their resilience and inclusion in climate adaptation efforts.

Participants: The meeting was attended by 50 community members, including people with disabilities, caregivers, local government representatives, healthcare professionals, civil society members, and volunteers from Samprity Aid Foundation. Key stakeholders such as disability rights advocates and climate justice activists also participated.

Objectives:

1. To increase awareness of the impact of climate change on the health and well-being of people with disabilities.
2. To promote inclusive climate adaptation strategies that consider the specific needs of people with disabilities.
3. To advocate for stronger collaboration between government, civil society, and the disability community to ensure access to health services during climate-induced disasters.

Key Discussions:

1. Climate Change and Health Vulnerability: The facilitators highlighted how climate change, including extreme weather events, can disproportionately affect people with disabilities. Flooding, heatwaves, and other climate-related disasters often lead to disruptions in healthcare services, leaving people with disabilities more vulnerable to communicable diseases and other health risks.
2. Inclusive Climate Adaptation: Discussions focused on the need to integrate disability-inclusive practices in climate resilience planning. This includes ensuring accessible evacuation centers, early warning systems in accessible formats, and community-based health services that cater to people with disabilities.
3. Advocacy for Policy Change: Participants emphasized the importance of advocating for stronger government policies that address the intersection of disability, health, and climate change. The need for local health systems to provide accessible services and emergency preparedness for people with disabilities was stressed.
4. Community Engagement: Local leaders and disability advocates shared successful examples of community-led initiatives that address climate health resilience. These included community-based rehabilitation programs and peer education models that empower people with disabilities to be active agents of change.

Outcome: The meeting resulted in a commitment from local stakeholders to collaborate on climate justice and health resilience initiatives. The participants agreed to establish a task force to advocate for the inclusion of disability issues in local climate policies and health planning. Samprity Aid Foundation will continue to provide support through capacity-building workshops and awareness campaigns.

Conclusion: The advocacy meeting was successful in fostering dialogue between community members, people with disabilities, and key stakeholders on the critical issue of climate justice and health resilience. By prioritizing the needs of people with disabilities in climate adaptation efforts, the community can work towards a more inclusive and resilient future.