Inclusion organizations in Chile urge incorporating people with disabilities into emergency plans, following recent earthquakes in Venezuela that have left more than 1,400 dead.
Fundación Ronda and ONG Inclusiva highlighted the need for a prevention culture that considers priority groups. María José Escudero of Fundación Ronda said an emergency is not the time to improvise and that plans must adapt to specific needs such as wheelchair use or permanent medications.
Carlos Kaiser of ONG Inclusiva recalled that Chile is a seismic country and that plans must include real supports for people with disabilities or in situations of dependency. Both organizations succeeded in having the National System of Supports and Care prioritize these groups in emergencies and disasters.
Recommendations include defining support networks, reviewing accessible routes, training families and adapting communication. The entities asked the government to implement preventive measures with accessibility and territorial coordination.
