Depriving the rights of deaf people in times of Crisis and Disasters

• Limited Information Access in Sign Language:
  

  Deaf individuals lack crucial information during disasters due to a lack of sign language interpretation, increasing vulnerability.

• Exclusion from Health Care and Basic Needs:
  

  Deaf people face barriers in accessing timely health care information and necessities during emergencies.

• Communication Challenges for Deaf Children:
  • Deaf children in non-signing environments struggle with communication during emergencies, impacting their safety and well-being.
  • Deaf individuals may be denied sign language education, hindering their understanding and response to disaster-related information.

• Absence of Sign Language Information for Displaced Persons:
  • Shelters and displacement centers often lack sign language information, making it difficult for deaf individuals to access resources.
  • Lack of sign language support in Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) campaigns leaves deaf individuals vulnerable.
  • Deaf individuals may be excluded from safe spaces and aid programming during humanitarian emergencies, necessitating inclusive communication strategies.

Take part in supporting the rights of deaf people in Times of Disasters. Let’s donate now, deaf people need you!

The WFD works with its members, the national associations of the deaf, who are faced with crisis and emergency situations. Currently, our work focuses on several zones:

How will your donation be used?

• Supporting the WFD's ongoing DRR work

Your donation will allow the WFD to support our members who are experiencing emergencies, and coordinate support with targeted international organisations (UN, NGOs, etc.). The WFD Secretariat is constantly in communication with International humanitarian organisations who provide aid, in order to ensure that deaf people are included in all aid efforts.

• Financing urgent and essential needs 

Support the needs of our members by providing access to sign language interpreters, translation of informative videos into their national sign language, and use of torch lights, batteries, or by delivering supplies that facilitate access to information and communication.

• Financing training and preparedness

Prepare deaf communities to respond to disasters and humanitarian emergencies through training courses for our members.

WFD works to support the rights of all deaf people around the world without regard to nationality, religion, gender, age, or any other background. WFD does not take a position on geopolitics or any specific case. WFD follows the UN's position. All deaf people in crisis or emergency situations have the same rights as everyone else. They deserve the same assistance and information as anyone affected by a disaster or a crisis.

WFD works primarily in collaboration with the -federation(s) of deaf people of the countries concerned. We listen to them, identify together their needs and establish a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to define concrete actions to be undertaken jointly and the sharing of responsibilities. Then, regular follow-up meetings are organized in addition to the actions undertaken at the global and national levels.