20 June 2024 – As the world marks World Refugee Day, millions are reminded of the resilience of displaced communities—but for refugees with disabilities, the crisis in South Sudan remains especially dire and largely invisible.
By Reliefweb
While conflict, climate shocks, and hunger continue to uproot lives across the region, people with disabilities are often excluded from aid, protection, and basic services. In overcrowded camps and remote settlements, many face inaccessible infrastructure, stigma, and a lack of assistive devices or medical care.
Organisations working on the ground warn that disability-inclusive humanitarian action is still the exception—not the norm. “We see people with disabilities trapped in their tents, unable to reach food distribution points or medical centres. Many are simply not counted,” says a field officer with a disability rights NGO.
Women and children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable—often exposed to gender-based violence, neglect, and isolation. Despite growing international commitments to disability inclusion in humanitarian response, real implementation lags far behind.
Advocates are calling for urgent reform:
- Inclusive needs assessments that count people with disabilities
- Accessible shelter, toilets, and clinics
- Involvement of disabled persons’ organisations in refugee planning and response
As we honour World Refugee Day, Disability Connect joins the call for visibility, equity, and dignity for all refugees—especially those living with disabilities. Without their inclusion, no response is truly complete.
