The implications of ensuring equal access and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action

Guidelines and policies for disability inclusion in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and humanitarian action have been, and continue to be, developed by governments, international organisations and humanitarian agents. Despite these disability inclusion efforts, people with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues are reported to continue to face disadvantage, and to a greater extent than those identifying with other disabilities. On the basis of these understandings, this literature review seeks to gain a better understanding of the particular challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities and those with mental health issues in Palestine and the refugee settings in Lebanon. The review addresses the following research questions: 1. What do we know about persons with intellectual disabilities and persons with mental health issues in the context of conflict and crisis and in particular in Palestine and Lebanon? What are the factors/barriers that may contribute to disproportionate risk in the context of natural hazards and conflict? 2. What are the protection/prevention and inclusion/exclusion factors to consider in programming for DRR and humanitarian response? How does that relate to what other actors are doing in the field? Where are the gaps? 3.What are the best practices, lessons learned and/or evidence from DRR planning and humanitarian efforts (across all sectors) in the local and international contexts that can be drawn upon to inform next steps for Norwegian Association of the Disabled (NAD). How can we engage in innovative ways with refugee and internally displaced communities to draw on assets and resources to build resilience?