News from our members
IACD is thrilled to share great news from our members! IACD Organizational Member CBM (Christian Blind Mission) has received an international award, in recognition of its work in Vietnam to build disability inclusive and disaster prepared communities.
The Zero Project Award, granted by disability inclusion experts from around the world, is given to innovative projects worldwide that improve the daily lives and legal rights of all persons with disabilities.
About the project
Nho Quan District in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam, is frequently impacted by natural disasters, especially floods. In October 2017, a historic flood forced 15,000 people to leave their homes. People with disabilities are among those most affected by these hazards due to their lack of access to early warning information, evacuation efforts, and the supply of shelter and food.
CBM’s project, Promotion of Disability-Inclusive and Disaster Prepared Communities in Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh Province, helps to mitigate the dangers of natural disasters by establishing inclusive self-help forums for the local population, creating accessible, disability-inclusive natural disaster shelters, and providing technical and financial support.
Since the launch in 2018, around 2,000 people with disabilities have participated in evacuation drills and six accessible shelters have been built, fully equipped with equipment such as loudspeakers, flashlights, generators, signal lights and raincoats.
The project follows CBM’s Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) approach, which aims to ensure that people with disabilities are respected and included in their communities on an equal basis in all areas of life. It is implemented in partnership with a Vietnamese NGO (the Aid for Social Protection Foundation), local authorities and local people, particularly people with disabilities.
Thanks to the success of the accessible natural disaster shelters in this project, CBM has already begun to replicate the approach in disaster-prone areas in Indonesia and Bangladesh.
The award will be presented as part of the Zero Project Conference, a hybrid event in Vienna taking place between 23-25 February 2022. Find out about all the awardees here: https://bit.ly/31ojIzd
Sharing your updates and news with IACD
We are always happy to hear from our members and to share the fantastic work they accomplish. Why not tell us a bit about your work, practice, or studies? Email membership@iacdglobal.org to find out more.
