President Michael D. Higgins at Dóchas Summit
President Michael D. Higgins gets an insight into CBM’s Emergency Response work
CBM Ireland hosted a photo exhibition at the Dóchas Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals on 5 May 2016 in Croke Park, Dublin. The exhibition highlighted CBM's response to Typhoon Haiyan that struck the Philippines in 2013 and the importance of disability inclusion in emergency response and recovery.
After addressing the Summit, President Michael D. Higgins stopped by the exhibition and met with Sarah O’Toole CEO of CBM Ireland. Through local partner organisations in the Philippines, CBM provided immediate humanitarian support to the disaster-affected areas. Amongst those reached were communities in the remote islands around Concepcion. Thanks to our efforts, they received food and emergency supplies within three days.
CBM is now working in the next phase of recovery, ensuring that reconstruction efforts are inclusive. It is crucial to 'build back better', ensuring accessibility is considered and that people with disabilities are active players in making their community more resilient. The recovery includes addressing community health and shelter needs, and promoting disability inclusive reconstruction.
CBM's support to persons with disabilities and their communities in Philippines is an example of how to implement the new Sustainable Development Goals, a set of global goals that were adopted by world leaders at the United Nations in September 2015. While the goals focus on a wide range of issues - such as the eradication of hunger, mitigation of climate change and ensuring gender equality - they also promise that 'no one will be left behind' including persons with disabilities. CBM Ireland works tirelessly to ensure the full inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in this new global development agenda.
Click here to read further about CBM's Emergency Response and recovery activities to Typhoon Haiyan.
