EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDS) IN BANGLADESH

Autores/as

  • Sabiha Ahmed Diba Research Officer, Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS), Bangladesh
  • Mohammad Zakaria Project Coordinator, Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS) Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v6i1.965

Palabras clave:

COVID-19, persons with disabilities (PWDs), effects, inclusion, response measures

Resumen

The world faces a serious and intense public health crisis due to the nonstop effects of COVID-19 global pandemic. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are first victims among all at any types of disasters or crisis. This time it is not different and even more severe. The COVID-19 pandemic has life-limiting implications on PWDs. Despite the perplexity in identifying the total number of PWDs in Bangladesh, one thing is evident that PWDs confront many layers of deprivation in this period of COVID-19 including reduction of income opportunities and inaccessible health services. This study intended to assess to what degree PWDs are affected economically, physically, psychosocially, socially and in accessing the health services and other government interventions regarding response to COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Both primary and secondary data has been used in this study. Questionnaire survey and interview has been taken as primary data collection from the selected 200 PWDs led families from the selected 8 wards from the 8 divisions of the country. The findings from the research highlights that, PWDs are still being deprived from the COVID-19 response measures. They are mostly affected in personal, family and social level. Their earnings have been reduced even many of them have already lost their jobs. They are not enlisted properly in relief distribution lists and also, they are suffering from malnutrition for not inadequate food consumption due to low income. This research recommends some actions to be done to ensure PWDs inclusive COVID-19 response measures for present and future situation.

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Biografía del autor/a

  • Sabiha Ahmed Diba, Research Officer, Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS), Bangladesh
    Sabiha Ahmed Diba received the Bachelor of Social Science in Disaster and Human Security Management from Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2018 and Master of Social Science in Disaster and Human Security Management from Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2019. She is currently serving as Research Officer in Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS) since July, 2020. Her research and publications and Interest of Research focus is on Social Sciences, Disaster Management, Climate Change, Public Health, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Women Empowerment, Child rights, Human Security, Persons with disabilities (PWDs), Humanitarian Crisis, Emergency Response, etc.
  • Mohammad Zakaria, Project Coordinator, Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS) Bangladesh
    Mohammad Zakaria is a development professional with long experiences in Project Management, Educational Management, Covid-19 Pandemic Management, Emergency Response in Humanitarian Crisis, GBV Prevention and Child Protection, Community Mobilization, Conflict Management and Crisis Negotiation. Apart from completing Master of Arts in English Language and Literature, he also received Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Disaster Management from Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS), University of Dhaka; PGD in Development Planning from National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD) under Ministry of Planning; and PGD in Project Management from Academy of Business Professionals (ABP). He is currently serving Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (BPKS) as Project Coordinator, Program Division since June 2020.

Referencias

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Publicado

2020-12-13

Número

Vol. 6 Núm. 1 (2021)

Sección

Articles