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Invitation panel discussion

Leaving no one behind in humanitarian action

Disability inclusion in emergencies

Tuesday, 17.2.2026 
Leonardo Hotel Vienna Schönbrunn,
Linke Wienzeile 224, 1150 Wien  
16:00-18:00
(soft check-in 15:30 & networking afterwards)

International policy frameworks and conventions on humanitarian action demand the inclusion of people with disabilities. However, in reality, people with disabilities continue to be left behind when emergencies strike.  

In this event we will explore 

  1. the causes of the gap between policy and practice, as well as how barriers affecting persons with disabilities in emergencies can be identified and removed 
  1. prerequisites of empowerment, meaningful participation, and capacity strengthening 
  1. the role of data, innovation, co-creation and collaboration in humanitarian action in advancing these objectives 
  1. the implications the humanitarian reset has on these questions 

Examples from Mozambique and Burkina Faso will illustrate what this means in practice across different contexts. Moreover, the Zero Project Crisis Response report will be launched at this event, underlining good practices across numerous continents, when it comes to providing dignity — and removing barriers — in times of crisis to persons with disabilities.

Light for the World and the cooperating organisations warmly invite you to participate in this event. Please register via this link the latest by 11 February 2026.

Register here

The venue is accessible for wheelchairs. To enable us to ensure full and equitable participation, please inform us of any accessibility requirements or reasonable accommodations that should be taken into consideration.

By participating in this event, you expressly agree to the photo and/or video recordings and consent to the distribution of
the photo and/or video recordings in line with our organisational policies. If you do not wish to be included in photos/videos,
please make this known to organisers at the event. 

Agenda 

The event will be held in English and moderated by Ioanna Tsigiridi, ELHRA.  

About the speakers 

Clodoaldo Castiano is the Executive Director of the Forum of Mozambican Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FAMOD),
and a member of the National Human Rights Commission of Mozambique. He focuses on analysing public policies for inclusion, advocacy and strategic planning. For nearly a decade, Clodoaldo has been leading disability advocacy initiatives
in Mozambique, including passing Mozambique’s first national disability law in 2024. 

Michael Fembek is the CEO of the Zero Project. As a former business journalist, he has initiated and developed the Zero Project
since 2008.  Since 2022 Michael Fembek is responsible for strategy, international cooperation and communications on the Board of Directors of the Essl Foundation. He is head of the Disability Thematic Network of Philea, the leading European Association of foundations. 

Ghislain Tihanibé Hien is a Project Manager at Light for the World Burkina Faso. He currently manages the project “IMPACT-BF” and
its inclusive measures for people affected by crisis in Burkina Faso. This project is funded by the Austrian Development Agency
as part of International Partnerships Austria and has received a Zero Project Award as an innovative solution for disability inclusion. 

Nurten Yilmaz is a Programme Specialist for Disability Inclusive Humanitarian Action at UNICEF. Based in Nairobi, she works across emergency and protracted crises to advance rights-based, inclusive programming for children with disabilities. Her expertise includes programme design and management, policy engagement, and partnerships with governments, civil society, and multilateral actors to promote equitable and inclusive humanitarian action. 

Ioanna Tsigiridi is the Innovation Manager for Disability and Older Age Inclusion at Elrha’s Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF).
She shapes HIF’s strategic priorities on disability and age inclusion, supporting partners to integrate inclusion, and contributing
to sector-wide learning. Ioanna is committed to advancing disability inclusion, gender equality and fundamental rights through collaborative, evidence-driven humanitarian action.

Relevant links