31 May 2022
People with disabilities are left to face the difficulties in tackling climate change, without any additional support, but also face many other difficulties which are going unanswered, including mobility and access, to mention just two issues,
Jeremy Gwao writing today in the Solomon Times Online tells the following sad and touching story about people in the Solomon Islands are left to face the difficulties in tackling climate change, without any additional support.
Jeremy’s story simply adds to the many concerns and needs of disabled persons that I have raised over succeeding years and not witnessed any real change, or the ratification by the government of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons’ with Disabilities, although twice, to my knowledge, government saying ratification would only need a Cabinet decision in the first instance.
Disability rights are fundamental human rights and should not be disregarded.
Last week I highlighted the need for a braille typewriter to facilitate the work of a registered blind public servant working in a legal department of the government. I also wrote about a wholly physically handicapped young adult, handicapped from birth, living in Malaita, who desperately needs a wheel chair who’s parents, now aged, continually struggle with their son’s mobility issues. I still hope my pleas in both cases will be answered by some caring persons or by an organization, company, bank, or trader having compassion.
Here is Jeremy’s story.
Quote,
35-year-old Francis Filia has had to sit in a wheelchair for more than 17 years of his life, due to a physical impairment on his spine. From his home in the Solomon Islands, he heard the waves each morning getting more aggressive.
Honiara, the capital city of Solomon Islands, is an example of how people with disabilities are left to face the difficulties in tackling climate change, without any additional support.
"Every high tide is right at my doorstep every time I wake up. That kept me wondering if soon, we were going to sink in the sea with no option,” he said.
The government’s climate plans are not listening to the realities of people with disabilities, said Casper Joseph Fa’asala, the People with Disability Solomon Islands Office Manager. Resettlement, Livelihood and Longlife skills are the important areas that were lacking in addressing in terms of access to the services.
For decades people with disabilities have been a forgotten minority in the Solomon Islands decision making, said Mr.Fa’asala. For example, the accessibility of infrastructure, education and health services provided does not meet the requirement for people with disabilities.
This does not reflect the vision of the Pacific Framework for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which aims to build “an inclusive, barrier-free, and rights-based society for men, women and children with disabilities, which embraces the diversity of all Pacific people.” Solomon Islands is still yet to ratify this treaty.
Now, as climate impacts become more extreme —such as increased coastal flooding and rising sea levels—, people with disabilities have to face these events with even more vulnerabilities.
There is a huge risk that in all climate emergencies that the People with Disabilities will disproportionately be affected by climate change because of their inherent vulnerabilities, limited access to knowledge, resources and sufficient access to most essential services to effectively respond to the current environmental change that is currently taking a toll in many communities in the Solomon Islands.
The UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights Office recommends the inclusion of people with disabilities in the planning for “disaster risk management and climate-related decision-making at the local, national, regional and global levels”.
Francis lived most of his life by the sea. He recalled his childhood memories with happiness, but said that home was nothing like what it was before.
"When I woke up or even before bed, I used to love the sound of the rolling waves crashing on the beach. I heard it far from my room but today the sound of the rolling waves is not as friendly as it was,” he recently said.
Climate impacts have already become visible near his home, as a “huge” land mass was washed off by the sea recently, he had said. This affected six homes, access to roads and a well-known recreational site in his community, he added.
“All of these places are now under water and today the sea is just a few meters away from reaching my home,” Francis had commented
The changes have been challenging for him. “I cannot wheel myself out if the tide is very big because I fear that the waves would get me off the beach and push me out.”
His community’s geographic location also adds to the impacts. From being coastal, the settlement is also close to a river bank, a feature that gave it its name, Mamana Water which means ‘Among Water.’
“During rainy seasons and cyclones I could not go outside because the running banks of Mataniko river would add another level to the sea,” he recently recalled.
Cyclone events leave most of his belongings floating or drenched with water, he says. His efforts to keep them dry were unsuccessful.
“Sea level rise is affecting our homes and lives. Eventually with the limited time my house that I call home will be washed out in the sea. I believe relocation is another option but when and where will still be another challenge for me and my family,” Francis explained quite recently.
Almost 20% of the people with disabilities in Solomon Islands are affected by climate change impacts such as flooding, cyclone, sea level rise and sanitation, said Casper Faásala.
“Their voices need to be heard, especially for those in vulnerable situations. It must not fall on deaf ears. People with disabilities also have a right to life, right to health, to development and empowerment,” said Caleb Pollard, climate activist and president of the youth movement Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change.
In Honiara, there are 122 disability people living with their own challenges surrounding climate change, according to People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI).
The Climate Change Officer for the People with Disability in the Solomon Islands, Ms. Melvina Voua, said her office does not have the power to influence all decision makers in terms of climate action plans to help people with disability.
“We have come to a point where we see the right of being inclusive is slim and we cannot accept the fact we are expected to do the same as normal people.” said Ms.Voua.
Another barrier for action is information. The majority of people with disabilities in Honiara lack information about climate change, said Ms.Voua.
End of quote.
Footnote.
Francis Filia recently passed away, by sharing his story we do hope that it gives an insight into the plight of people with disability, something good in the sadness and pain of losing someone that was loved and cared for by many.
Sincere condolences are offered to the late Francis’s family, friends and colleagues. May he RIP.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
