Request for Proposals: Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Technical Assistance (India)

Deadline: 03-Sep-2026

UNDP India is seeking qualified agencies to provide technical assistance for disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DiDRR) in Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, and Bihar. The assignment will strengthen disaster preparedness for persons with disabilities through policy analysis, partnerships with organizations of persons with disabilities, community preparedness planning, training, and institutional capacity building.

About the Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative

The Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) Technical Assistance initiative is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience for persons with disabilities. The initiative focuses on integrating disability inclusion into disaster risk reduction policies, planning, preparedness systems, and community-level responses. The technical assistance will support state-level institutions in Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, and Bihar to develop more inclusive and resilient disaster management systems. The approach is aligned with a rights-based framework and the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Why the Programme Matters Persons with disabilities can face additional barriers before, during, and after disasters. These may include limited access to early warnings, evacuation challenges, inaccessible shelters, gaps in emergency communication, and insufficient participation in disaster planning. Disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities are actively included in disaster preparedness and resilience planning rather than treated only as recipients of emergency assistance.

The UNDP initiative therefore emphasizes:

Inclusive disaster preparedness.

Participation of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs)

Stronger coordination between government, civil society, and disability organizations. Key Objectives The main objective is to provide specialized technical assistance that helps state-level stakeholders incorporate disability inclusion into disaster risk reduction systems. Promoting rights-based approaches to disaster risk reduction. Strengthening resilience among persons with disabilities. Scope of Technical Assistance The selected organization or consortium will provide expertise across several areas. Policy Analysis The assignment will examine existing policies, strategies, frameworks, and institutional mechanisms related to disaster risk reduction and disability inclusion. The agency is expected to identify gaps and opportunities for integrating disability considerations into state-level disaster preparedness and resilience systems.

Partnership With Organizations of Persons With Disabilities

Meaningful participation of OPDs is an important component of the assignment. The selected agency will support partnerships and engagement mechanisms that enable persons with disabilities and their representative organizations to contribute directly to disaster risk reduction planning and implementation. Community Preparedness Planning Technical assistance will also focus on strengthening preparedness at the community level.

This may include approaches for:

Inclusive risk assessment. Emergency preparedness planning. Accessible early-warning systems. Evacuation planning. Community-based disaster preparedness. Identification of specific barriers faced by persons with disabilities.

Participation of people with disabilities in local resilience planning

Training of Trainers The programme includes training-of-trainers (ToT) activities designed to develop institutional capacity. Rather than providing only one-time training, the approach aims to create trained personnel who can subsequently transfer knowledge and skills to other stakeholders. Training may cover disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction, rights-based approaches, inclusive preparedness, accessible communication, and community engagement. Target States The technical assistance assignment covers three Indian states: Odisha Himachal Pradesh Bihar Activities are expected to consider the different disaster risks, institutional structures, and local contexts of these states. Who Is Eligible? The opportunity is open to registered legal entities with relevant technical and operational experience.

Strengthen community preparedness: Support inclusive planning and preparedness mechanisms at the community level.

Build institutional capacity: Deliver training and training-of-trainers activities.

Support implementation: Help relevant institutions apply disability-inclusive approaches.

Document learning: Capture lessons, good practices, and recommendations that can support replication and scale-up.

Application Requirements Interested organizations should carefully review the official RFP because the exact submission requirements, forms, deadlines, evaluation methodology, and contractual conditions will be defined in the procurement documents. Applicants should be prepared to provide evidence of: Legal registration. Organizational experience. Relevant previous assignments. Technical expertise. Qualified personnel. Financial capacity. Past performance. Proposed methodology. Implementation approach. Understanding of disability inclusion and disaster risk reduction. The proposal should demonstrate not only organizational experience but also the applicant’s ability to translate technical knowledge into practical institutional and community-level improvements. What a Strong Proposal Should Demonstrate A competitive proposal should clearly explain how the applicant will address the intersection of disability inclusion, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and human rights.

Particular attention should be given to

Meaningful participation of persons with disabilities. Practical engagement with OPDs. State-level policy integration. Community ownership. Accessibility of preparedness sy