Persons with disabilities and resilience: coping with environmental hazards case of landslides in Mount Elgon region, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Adverse impacts on persons with disabilities occur disproportionately during landslide hazards in a rugged landscape. Coping with climate-induced hazards to boost disaster resilience among persons with disabilities is directly influenced by the deepseated power relations in society. The study explored coping mechanisms and assessed their perceived effectiveness in boosting resilience of persons with disabilities in the Ugandan fragile ecosystem. A cross-sectional design with 55 in-depth household interviews, seven key informant interviews and two focus group discussions were used. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistical methods. Content analysis was carried out for qualitative data. Whereas persons with disabilities highly opted for relocation/resettlement, it was also perceived as less effective in boosting landslide resilience. Self-help groups, use of assistive devices, access to early warning, and participation in disaster training and recovery plans in their order of importance-built resilience effectively. In conclusion, Persons with disabilities try to cope with landslide hazards amidst unfavourable power relations and social exclusion. We recommend increased inclusive disaster preparedness and recovery to boost access to information on disaster training, and socio-economic support services. This will directly stimulate the infrastructural, participation, and functioning capacity thus increasing their resilience to Landslides.

KEYWORDS:

• Persons with disabilities
• power relations
• disaster resilience
• landslide hazards
• Uganda

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Disability fraternity under their National Union for Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) for their support in achieving this research. In addition, thanks to the research assistants and leaders in Mount Elgon that coordinated to access the respondents amidst covid-19 crescendos especially Bududa District Local Government.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.