Technical prevention and mitigation measures

Ecological environment

cms@studio24.net — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 16:44:51 +0000

Ecological environment

Persons from at-risk groups face barriers that put them at a higher risk of being affected adversely by the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Their inclusion is essential when working with the ecological environment to reduce disaster risk. They can propose creative and relevant solutions to improve their communities and protect the environment.

Sustainable Land Management (SLM) for disaster risk reduction (e.g., protecting vulnerable lands, controlling soil erosion, preventing and mitigating land degradation, etc.) can represent an opportunity to promote a more accessible and inclusive physical- and social environment.

Example:

The inclusive, flood-resilient cluster village in the flood prone area of Gaibandha District in northern Bangladesh provides safe accessible housing, food security and income generation for multiple families, including persons with disabilities. The village has been made accessible for persons with disabilities through different measures, including the construction of a ramp, connecting the cluster village entrance with the road, and of accessible common Water-, Sanitation- and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. Land users who are persons with disabilities or older persons also benefit from the accessible infrastructure.

cms@studio24.net Thu, 02/23/2023 - 16:44

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Technical prevention and mitigation measures

Sources

Disability inclusive, flood resilient cluster village [Bangladesh]

https://qcat.wocat.net/en/wocat/technologies/view/technologies_2005/

Disability inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction [Bangladesh]

https://qcat.wocat.net/en/wocat/approaches/view/approaches_2001/

WWF. Natural resource management and the importance of gender. 2012

https://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/downloads/women_conservation_overview_201…

Water point

ManuelRothe — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 15:07:15 +0000

Water point

Water points must be included in any risk assessment and preparedness plan. When building or reinforcing resilient water points to ensure access to potable water the aftermath of a disaster and emergencies, consider these accessibility measures to ensure their safe use by everyone:

The platform around water points should preferably use concrete base for safer mobility of wheelchair users or older persons, avoid slippery surface and ensure good drainage. Avoid gravel, bricks or other uneven surfaces.
Level platforms with the surrounding ground. Alternatively, construction of a ramp at least 90 cm wide and with a gradient of at least 1:10. The nearer users can get to the water source, the easier it is to use
Build a seat in front of the tap, at a height of 50 cm for sitting while collecting water (wood, concrete or metal can be used for this purpose). Install a small handrail beside the seat at a height of 90 cm.
Install easy to use hand pumps for tube wells, with long handles and low resistance when pumping. In case a tap is installed on a water tank, the tap height should be 90cm.
In case of lifting devices, using a ratchet and pawl will allow a winding and locking mechanism for the rope
Build water points close to people’s homes/settlements for easier access.
Involve community members, including women and men of different ages, with different types of disabilities in the planning and design of the location, specifications and resources for installation water points.

In case of an open well, without lifting mechanism, several arrangements on the raised wall facilitate access to persons with disabilities, elderly and young persons:

Plan for a wall of different heights: the height of the wall should be between an adult's hip and waist (approximately 80cm high). It should be strong enough to support the weight of a person leaning on it while getting the water from the well. For a wheelchair user or a person sitting next to the wall, the wall should not be above the height of their waist or armrest (approximately 50cm high).
A flat cover of the wall (wood or concrete) with an access hatch will provide additional surface to lean on and to rest the water container. In addition, it will reduce the risk of water contamination and the risk of accidents.

ManuelRothe Tue, 12/03/2019 - 15:07

Tags

Technical prevention and mitigation measures

Sources

Ageing and Disability Task Force Pakistan. Technical Guidelines for Health, Water & Sanitation, Hygiene and Shelter Programmes in Emergencies.

Structural mitigation measures

ManuelRothe — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:30:14 +0000

Structural mitigation measures

When applying structural mitigation measures for protection from hazards, make sure the structure becomes or remains accessible following RECU principle: persons with any type of disability can Reach, Enter, Circulate and Use facilities in a continuous movement (e.g., without facing barriers).

Specifically, take into account the following accessibility considerations:

Make sure pathways leading to the main entrance of the building are accessible and cleared from obstacles.
Install a ramp for the main entrance.
Install handrails on ramps, walkways and stairs to provide support and safety.
Ensure that openings (e.g. doorways) are at least 90 cm wide, for a wheelchair to pass through.
Colour entrances in contrasting colour to make it easier for persons with visual impairment to identify them. (Painting in a contrasting colour can also make paths, ramps or other access ways more visible).
Make sure that doors and windows are accessible for wheelchair users and easy to open and close for persons with physical disabilities.
Ensure that space inside the building is wide enough to allow a wheelchair user to circulate and complete a full turn.
Provide electrical lighting to increase accessibility and safety.
If you’re establishing an underground safe room/storm shelter, make sure the pathway to the room and the room itself are accessible for persons with different types of disabilities.
Apply other measures to increase the safety of the building, such as fastening furniture, removal or securing of projectiles, and avoiding sharp edges in hygiene areas.

Remember, when the built environment is compromised in a disaster, it can block exits. Furniture may become an obstacle or walls may shift, leaving exit doors difficult to open. These unanticipated obstacles greatly affect the ability of persons with disabilities or older persons to safely exit the building.

Simple measures to secure freestanding furniture, cupboards, bookcases, and similar items can reduce the possibility for injury and increase the potential for escape. Alternate evacuation plans must also be developed and practiced for mitigating the negative effect of barriers created when items fall and block egress.

ManuelRothe Thu, 08/19/2021 - 15:30

Tags

Technical prevention and mitigation measures

Sources

National Council on Disability. Effective Emergency Management: Making Improvements for Communities and People with Disabilities. 2009

https://www.ncd.gov/publications/2009/Aug122009

Inclusive post-disaster reconstruction: Building back safe and accessible for all. 16 minimum requirements for building accessible shelters.

https://www.cbm.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/16-minimum-requirements-…

River basin protection

ManuelRothe — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:13:28 +0000

River basin protection

When applying protective measures for river basins, consider the following for accessibility and equal benefit of everyone:

Involve persons from different at-risk groups, who live along river basins, in community consultations, when designing and applying river basin protective measures.
Using different means of communication and information dissemination, raise awareness of communities on sustainable river basin management and application of different protection measures.
Ensure participation of people from different at-risk groups in community preparedness activities and address specific risks from potential hazards they face.
Install inclusive and accessible early warning systems at the village level so that everyone in the community receive timely information in case of raising water levels.
Inspect roads and bridges, including culverts, along river basins for stability and accessibility (even surface and clear of obstacles).
Provide accessible rescue vessels for persons with disabilities.
Provide safe and accessible shelter in case of required evacuation during flooding.

ManuelRothe Thu, 08/19/2021 - 15:13

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Technical prevention and mitigation measures

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