German protection strategies in disaster situations concerning people with disabilities

In Germany two specific vulnerable groups, related to age and disability, are covered by polices. Relatively to the last one, in 2009, Germany ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Article 11 of the Convention obliges the state parties to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters. However, people with special need are not specially mentioned in any of the civil protection laws. Guidelines and emergency plans of the different organisations refer in some cases to this groups of people. The German Red Cross, for example, provide some special care service for emergency and disaster situations. For this purpose, specially trained members will take care of persons with special needs such as old people or people with disabilities as well as parents with small children. As the people with special need, always need a very specialized assistance, different research projects are ongoing to clarify their needs.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Age-related roles

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Recovery, Response

Types of Actors Concerned: Red Cross, National civil protection body