We are building the capacity of D/deaf communities on emergency preparedness and response to mitigate disaster risks and reduce D/deaf communities’ vulnerability in the face of disasters. Sign up for sign language rights by demonstrating partnerships between D/deaf communities and emergency responders.
Consider the ongoing wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine, and the profound impact they have on thousands of D/deaf people, D/deaf families, D/deaf individuals with disabilities, and Hard of Hearing people. These conflicts are not just distant news, but real-life situations affecting our global community.
The communication breakdown occurred when there were no sign language interpreters on social media due to Israel’s cutoff. “According to Netblocks, a company that tracks disruption to internet services in conflict zones, there have been about ten telecom blackouts in Gaza since the beginning of the war, as recently as a few weeks ago.
“When they cut off communications, we cried and wailed — that’s it, they’ve killed them all,” Rana says.” https://www.npr.org/2024/03/03/1229402063/gaza-communications-cell-phone-internet-service-blackouts-paltel
Here are other links – https://www.sapiens.org/culture/gaza-palestine-deaf-disability-justice/
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/12-04-2023-safeguarding-the-rights-of-deaf-people-in-ukraine
Now we have several D/deaf writers/bloggers from Gaza and Ukraine about their eyes seeing their country destroyed by their neighbours. For example, here is the link from one writer – https://overland.org.au/2024/06/what-it-means-to-be-deaf-and-palestinian-in-gaza/
This video and article from United Nations News is about Bassem Al-Habal and his family.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1149091
Imagine the war happening here.. Are our help and emergency responders up to date, or can we improve technology?
The New Zealand Deaf community does not reach out to them for no reason. I often get emails from Europe Social Service Networks requesting assistance aids, food supplies, medicines and contact details for interpreters’ services. It was not an easy option, but I could help them. The World Federation of the Deaf can assist in some way or form in delivering to the United Nations.
Life in Eureka 