International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2007

Available online as PDF file [244p.] at: http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/pubs/disasters/wdr2007/WDR2007-English.pdf

Summaries by chapter: http://www.ifrc.org/publicat/wdr2007/summaries.asp

“…..Disasters do not cause discrimination: they exacerbate it – and discrimination in an emergency setting can be life-threatening. The most marginalized and vulnerable risk not surviving the crisis or, if they do, they are then overlooked in plans to recover and regain their livelihoods.

Discrimination is best addressed in times of stability, but aid agencies and government agencies must also be made aware of the consequences and manifestations of discrimination during the heightened tensions brought about by emergency. Only then will minority groups, older people, persons with disabilities, and women and girls become a key factor in emergency planning, relief programmes and reconstruction efforts. ….”