Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Today, a meeting of the Inclusion Council dedicated to the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in emergency situations was held in the Senate, Parliament of Kazakhstan. During the meeting, council members, experts, and representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population discussed pressing issues faced by people with limited mobility during emergencies and proposed solutions to address them.
One of the key topics of discussion was the inaccessibility of temporary shelters for persons with disabilities, particularly during floods. Many evacuation points do not meet accessibility requirements: high thresholds, slippery surfaces, lack of ramps, narrow doorways, and the absence of tactile indicators and visual cues create significant barriers for people with limited mobility.
These issues affect not only persons with disabilities but also elderly citizens, pregnant women, parents with strollers, and other vulnerable groups. Participants emphasized that ensuring accessible infrastructure in emergencies is not just a matter of convenience but a necessity that can save lives.
Senators and experts proposed a number of measures to improve the situation:
- Enhancing Public Preparedness for Emergencies.
- Improving Early Warning Systems.
- Improving Accessibility of Temporary Shelters.
- Developing Inclusive Digital Solutions.
“Ensuring the safety of people with disabilities in emergencies is not just a matter of protection but a fundamental right. We must consider various types of disabilities when developing safety measures so that every person, regardless of their physical abilities, can receive timely assistance. This applies not only to evacuation but also to access to information, training, and infrastructure,”
said Chairperson of the Inclusion Council at the Senate, Lyazzat Kaltaeva.
Representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that 459 high-risk social facilities are currently registered with the ministry. State fire inspections regularly monitor these facilities to prevent violations. Additionally, these systems contain data on 263,026 citizens with disabilities, enabling rescue services to act more effectively.
UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction) addressed the meeting, sharing the results of an urban resilience assessment conducted in Almaty in 2024. They also discussed the potential for adopting international best practices from cities participating in the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) Initiative. This experience could serve as a valuable resource for improving safety systems and adapting infrastructure in Kazakhstan.
In 2023, UNDRR published a Global Survey on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters which found limited progress in disability inclusion over the past 10 years and called for accelerated action.
Participants emphasized that efforts to ensure the safety of persons with disabilities in emergencies must continue through close collaboration between government agencies, public organizations, and expert communities. Only through joint efforts can a system be created where every person, regardless of their abilities, is protected in the event of an emergency.
This meeting marked an important step toward building an inclusive society where safety and protection are guaranteed for all.