Partnerships when no OPDs adequately represent an affected population

In many humanitarian contexts, no local OPDs may exist; where they do exist, they may have been weakened by the crisis orhave limited capacity or may not adequately represent all persons with disabilities in a population. Where a population hasbeen displaced, for example, members of OPDs may be scattered in various locations. They may have difficulty contacting oneanother or organizing themselves to respond to the crisis or support the humanitarian response.

Whether or not OPDs can be located and engaged, a humanitarian response must include persons with disabilities and must addresstheir priorities and requirements. To do so when no local OPDs exist or when no OPDs can fully represent a displaced population,the following strategies can be adopted: