BY JOY OFASIA
For Nester Belei from Mbalasuna, the ongoing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) workshop at Navola Community is more than just a training – it’s a wake-up call.
The DRR workshop, organized by the National Disability Forum and funded by the Disability Rights Fund, continues to empower local communities across North Guadalcanal to ensure that no one is left behind when disaster strikes.
Speaking to SOLOMON WOMEN, Nester shared how the two-day workshop has opened her eyes to the urgent need for communities to include people with disabilities in their disaster plans.
“This training will help broaden my understanding and improve the knowledge I have to help support people, especially women and people with special needs in my community,” she said.
Nester is one of the many participants from six communities attending the DRR workshop, which aims to increase knowledge and skills around disability inclusiveness and emergency preparedness.
She highlighted that in her community of Mbalasuna, women and people with disabilities face particular challenges during disasters. Most women are vendors who rely heavily on subsistence farming. Disasters not only damage crops but also cut off access to markets, affecting livelihoods.
“In my community, one of the main challenges is that women vendors depend on subsistence farming. When disasters strike, gardens are destroyed and transport becomes difficult, making life even harder – especially for people with disabilities,” Nester explained.
She noted that people with disabilities in her village often rely completely on family members for food and support – and are especially vulnerable during times of crisis.
“These people do not have their own gardens but depend on their families for survival. When disaster affects us, it also affects them,” she said.
One of the most painful truths Nester raised is that people with disabilities are often forgotten when disaster hits.
“This happens in many communities. We usually fight for ourselves, forgetting that this group of people with special needs really depends on us for help,” she said.
Nester is determined to bring the lessons she learns from the DRR workshop back to her community.
“I am very happy to be here. I will take the knowledge and skills learned here to go back and share awareness with the women and people with disabilities in my community,” she said.
