Vanuatu: After devastation, UN experts call to protect human rights of all in disaster response

GENEVA (20 March 2015) – A group of United Nations human rights experts* called on Vanuatu and the international community to adopt a human rights framework as the basis for recovery in the aftermath of cyclone Pam, while noting that the new global framework for Disaster Risk Reduction adopted this week includes human rights as a guiding principle in mitigating natural disasters.

The experts on the right to adequate housing, and on the human rights of internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities and on older persons expressed their solidarity with the people of Vanuatu and deep concern for the widespread devastation caused by the storm.

“The destruction brought upon by cyclone Pam has left thousands of people displaced or insecurely housed. As one of the poorest countries in the world, residents of Vanuatu who already had very little, have now lost everything.

In the wake of such a disaster, and as emergency response and reconstruction plans are discussed, it is imperative that a human rights framework be the foundation for recovery and rebuilding efforts, which must be inclusive of all.
Post-disaster recovery and rebuilding activities are essential to ensure the fulfillment of the human rights of all.

Current reports by the UN and international aid organizations note that approximately 4,000 people have found refuge in 39 evacuation centres in Efate. In the capital city, Port Vila, approximately 90% of housing has been seriously damaged.

Temporary housing is an essential aspect of an emergency response, however it must still meet human rights standards and it must not be the sole focus. Those who are staying with relatives or families should also be assisted appropriately. Longer-term housing needs must also be considered and planned for immediately.

Lessons learned from past natural disasters around the world shed light on the way forward. In all phases of disaster response the right to adequate housing should be respected and protected. This means ensuring security of tenure; availability of services, materials, facilities and infrastructure; affordability, habitability and accessibility of housing; an appropriate location for housing; and cultural adequacy.

We are concerned over the conditions in evacuation centres, which reportedly vary enormously, with overcrowding, privacy and security identified as serious issues. We are particularly concerned about the risk of sexual violence against women and girls, as lighting is lacking in most of the centres.

In the coming months as the rebuilding process evolves, access to housing, land or space will become an important part of rehabilitation. We are particularly concerned for the most marginalized groups. They will need special attention – for example, women’s privacy needs and the rights and needs of those with disabilities must be addressed. An age perspective has also to be included in all stages of disaster management and policies, from their elaboration to their execution.

The new global framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 adopted this week in Sendai, Japan, includes human rights as a guiding principle in mitigating natural disasters, mentions the needs of the internally displaced, older persons and persons with disabilities specifically, and promotes an empowering and inclusive process to developing disaster responses.

We support this development as a positive reminder that human rights must be central in all efforts relating to natural disasters, and avail ourselves to provide assistance and guidance to the Government of Vanuatu, the international community, and all other stakeholders in this regard.”

(*) The experts: Ms. Leilani Farha, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing; Mr. Chaloka Beyani, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; Ms. Catalina Devandas-Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; and Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

ENDS

The UN independent experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

Adequate housing: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-housing
Internally Displaced Persons: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-internally-displaced-persons
Persons with disabilities: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-disability
Older persons: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/ie-older-persons

For more information and media requests, please contact Ms. Juana Sotomayor (+41 22 917 9445 / jsotomayor@ohchr.org) or srhousing@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)

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