Belgrade, 24 October 2025 - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has published an “Inclusive Procedures for Disaster Risk Reduction” guide. This document provides practical guidelines for including persons with disabilities in all phases of emergency management, ensuring the principles of inclusiveness, equality, and non-discrimination. 

The guide includes all key steps in risk management, from prevention and planning, through response and evacuation, to recovery and long-term rehabilitation. It is intended for a wide range of users, including local governments, emergency management headquarters, civil protection services, health and social institutions, as well as organisations and associations of persons with disabilities. 

The aim of this document is to help identify the specific risks and needs of persons with disabilities, actively involve them in planning and decision-making processes, and contribute to improving the safety and resilience of communities. In this way, communities become more humane and better prepared to respond to the challenges posed by emergencies. 

The importance of the guide is confirmed by statistical data: persons with disabilities face a three to four times higher risk of injury or death during emergencies compared to the rest of the population. In Serbia, according to the 2022 Census of Population, Households and Dwellings, there are 356,404 persons with disabilities, representing 5.46% of the population aged two and above. 

The guide was developed based on evidence, international best practices, and consultations with key institutions, including the Sector for Emergency Management (SEM) of the Ministry of the Interior of Serbia, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, and representatives of organisations of persons with disabilities. The document is aligned with national laws and strategies, as well as with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. 

The guide is available in Serbian and can be downloaded here. 

The development of the guide is part of the “Strengthening Rights, Equality, and Inclusive Actions” initiative, jointly implemented by UN Women, UNFPA, and UNDP, with financial support from the Global Disability Fund (GDF).