War and Persons with Disabilities: An International Perspective and the Ukrainian Experience

The international webinar “War and Persons with Disabilities”, organized by AIFO, RIDS, and the European Disability Forum, became an important event drawing attention to the impact of armed conflicts on persons with disabilities — a group that remains the least protected and the least represented in the information space during emergencies. The online meeting brought together experts, representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, and people with direct experience of living in armed conflict zones and humanitarian crises. They discussed how war destroys support systems, creates new barriers, and multiplies risks for millions of people whose lives are already complicated by systemic inaccessibility, lack of inclusive services, and unequal access to assistance. This was the first in a series of webinars aimed at developing a joint position of organizations of persons with disabilities on the impact of wars on persons with disabilities. 

The webinar featured several substantive presentations. The opening remarks were delivered by Giampiero Griffo, who outlined the global context of wars and their systemic impact on persons with disabilities. Marco Mascia from the Antonio Papisca Human Rights Centre at the University of Padua explored the right to peace in the context of international humanitarian and human rights law. Issues related to russia’s invasion of Ukraine were presented by EDF Vice-President Gunta Anča and Larysa Bayda from the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine. Vincenzo Falabella, President of FISH, addressed the topic of hosting persons with disabilities and their families in Italy during the war in Ukraine. The final part of the webinar focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip, where Yousef Hamdouna from EducAid Palestine delivered an analysis of living conditions for persons with disabilities and the specific challenges of humanitarian assistance in the region.

The introduction emphasized that modern armed conflicts lead to a dramatic increase in the number of persons with disabilities. According to international organizations, at least one-quarter of the civilian population affected by war sustains injuries with long-term consequences. Despite this, the living conditions and needs of persons with disabilities are almost invisible in the media, while humanitarian interventions often fail to account for their actual needs—from accessible shelters and transportation to timely access to information or medical assistance. Participants stressed that ignoring these needs leads to violations of international human rights standards.

A particular focus was placed on the situation in Ukraine. The war has changed the lives of millions and exposed systemic problems in human rights protection. Larysa Bayda, representing the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine, presented an overview of the challenges faced by Ukrainians with disabilities during the full-scale invasion. She emphasized that risks for persons with disabilities multiply: from the inability to quickly reach shelter to interruptions in access to medical and rehabilitation services, growing isolation due to the lack of accessible information, loss of housing, and lack of access to essential services. The webinar also featured a video prepared by the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine, presenting real stories of people experiencing the war under conditions of limited access to inclusive services and requiring protection that accounts for their situation.

All of this reinforces the fact that during war, persons with disabilities often face the greatest risks to their lives, yet remain the least represented in decision-making processes.

International speakers underlined the importance of systematic cooperation among governments, humanitarian organizations, and the disability movement. They emphasized that organizations of persons with disabilities must define the standards of inclusive humanitarian response, as their expertise ensures that real needs are understood and solutions are developed without leaving anyone behind.

The webinar served as a reminder that no humanitarian strategy can be effective unless it includes the needs of persons with disabilities at all stages — from planning to implementation. The Ukrainian experience presented during the meeting demonstrates the importance of involving persons with disabilities in policy-making, especially in times of war. This is not only a matter of human rights — it is a matter of survival and dignity. International discussions that include Ukrainian voices open new opportunities for change and strengthen the global movement for inclusive, fair, and people-centered humanitarian response.

Oleksandra Perkova, communications manager