Representation, participation and meaningful partnership in Disaster READY
Jay Nasilasila is the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) focal point for Fiji Disabled Persons Federation (FDPF) managing and coordinating disaster preparedness programs for FDPF and working closely with Disaster READY partners across Fiji. As a person with a physical disability and a wheelchair user from Vanua Levu, the Northern Island of Fiji, Jay knows firsthand how important it is to include people with disabilities in disaster risk reduction and preparedness activities.
Jay (pictured centre) recently attended the award ceremony for the UNDRR Sasakawa Awards in Geneva. Disaster READY partner CAN DO was nominated for their app which maps disaster evacuation centres in the Pacific, which Jay and FDPF have supported by ensuring disability inclusion remains at the forefront. IMAGE: CAN DO.
While Jay works to ensure disability inclusion is integrated within Disaster READY as the Organisation for Persons with Disability DRR Officer, Jay also chairs the Disaster READY Country Committee which provides an opportunity for Jay as a person with a disability to represent and participate in the high-level decision-making processes for the program. Jay was elected in 2022 as chair, and since then has been able to influence disability inclusion within the whole process and be a part of decisions that affect the lives of people with disabilities when it comes to disaster planning, response and recovery.
“For me I see it as an opportunity where people with disabilities can also be seen as leaders and seen as people with greater capabilities and capacities in this space,” Jay said. “The impact of representation, participation as chair, due to the opportunity to advocate in this space and advocate for meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities in the AHP program is significant.”
Jay’s primary role is to integrate disability inclusion into disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation within Disaster READY Fiji by offering training, resource development and mentoring to the NGO partners. Jay has also grown career-wise, now leading a team of two other staff within FDPF, one who supports DRR programming and the other inclusive climate action.
Plan International Australia’s Senior Program Manager, Humanitarian, Mr Tukatara (Tu) Tangi recently highlighted Jay’s contribution:
“Persons with disabilities continue to be amongst the worst affected by disasters in the Pacific. Dedicated resources to support strengthening local capacity to lead initiatives that address the humanitarian needs of persons with disabilities is critical. Jay Nasilasila is an example of what can be achieved. Over the years Jay has grown as a humanitarian and is now one of the strongest local voices amongst their peers for decision making, planning, policy and advocacy.”
In Fiji we are seeing the growing visibility of people with disabilities advocating and influencing change in the disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation space. There is still, however, work to be done on disability inclusion in AHP to improve representation and participation.
“I always encourage other members of organisations of persons with disability in the region that if you can do it in Fiji, it can also happen in your country when you advocate for the importance of inclusion in that space,” Jay said. “We need to keep seeing more people with disabilities in this space.”