26 March 2026
The WFD continues to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and its impact on deaf communities. WFD’s actions are guided by its mandate by its Disaster Risk Reduction Policy, As the Middle East conflict continues, so does the WFD active collaboration with partners in the Middle East. The WFD’s actions are guided by its Disaster Risk Reduction Policy, ensuring coordination, relevance and respect for nationally-based local OM leadership. In recent days, the WFD has:
- We prioritised coordination and contact with all our Ordinary Members (national association of the deaf) and relevant partners in the region.
- We engaged with humanitarian actors through meetings and ongoing email communication to advocate for the inclusion and accessibility of deaf people, including in Iran.
- We delivered a presentation to humanitarian actors working in the region about the accessibility for deaf people in humanitarian response.
- We also held an online meeting with the representatives of the OM Iran. During this exchange, representatives highlighted the severe challenges faced by deaf people in Iran, including widespread internet and power outages, a lack of access to information, and significant communication barriers. Concerns were also raised about the safety and rights of deaf people, including those in detention. The WFD continues to work closely with them to advocate for the rights of the deaf people in Iran.
The WFD continues to coordinate with its members and partners, prioritising safe communication channels and verified information in our support for the protection of deaf communities during situations of armed conflict.
12 March 2026
The WFD notes with concern the emergence of military escalation and unrest across the Middle East that pose a serious risk for deaf communities. We have received confirmed reports from one of our Ordinary Members of refugees needing temporary shelter at a deaf school, and other reports from elsewhere in the region of deaf people affected by violence, hostilities, power and internet outages and lack of access to information.
In accordance with our WFD DRR Policy, our Ordinary Members in the region are being contacted to assess any possible assistance needs. To ensure the protection and safety of deaf people, the WFD coordinates its actions with deaf associations in the affected countries. The WFD avoids speaking on behalf of local deaf communities or making public statements that could place them at risk.
The WFD is sending our Guidelines for the Protection and Safety of Deaf People in Armed Conflict to the UN Permanent Missions of all affected countries, reminding them of their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection and safety of deaf people as stated in Article 11 of the UN CRPD, and we have raised this issue before the CRPD Committee.
The WFD asks that documented cases of deaf people affected by this military escalation and unrest be sent to your Ordinary Members, with whom we are in contact, to coordinate ways to support their work protecting deaf people in times of conflict.
