Disability-inclusive humanitarian responses are a moral, legal, and practical necessity.

People living with a disability have the same rights as everyone else to live with dignity, access services, and receive support in times of crisis. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is a legally binding international treaty, emphasising the need for inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life, including humanitarian aid and response.

This means donors require disability inclusive programming. In addition, humanitarian and development responses are more effective when they consider the needs of people living with a disability, the barriers to them accessing services and their increased vulnerability during a humanitarian crisis. 

Highly effective humanitarian and development programs empower people living with a disability to participate in program design and adaptation decision making and actively elevate their voices in decision making.