Lost in the Chaos: LGBTI People in Emergencies

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Publication Date2014

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This articles relevance to humanitarian practitioners lies in its urge to close the research gap within the field, and to provide humanitarian staff with unique training in assessing the needs of LGBTI individuals in post-disaster zones.

This article provides an analysis on the current state of protection needs of LGBTI individuals in humanitarian crisis zones and how the current accessibility of humanitarian programmes plays a role on achieving rights for LGBTI people in disaster zones. This report shows the ways in which current humanitarian practice–such as the division of tents in refugee camps, dissemination of food and health supplies, safe housing–excludes LGBTI people in disaster zones. It specifically focuses on the experiences of transgender people in crisis settings.

Furthermore, the article discusses the exclusion of men from meaningful definitions of sexual violence. The report shows that men and boys often have no access to sexual violence resources and often face threats of counter-prosecution under strict sodomy laws. The article calls for the expansion of gender considerations in humanitarian crisis response in the hope that gender identities and expressions that vary from the normalised male-female are included.

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"Coping mechanisms for LGBTI people often collapse when crises occur, leaving them stranded. Experts say the gaps in services are closing, but effective reform will require moving from legal abstraction to practical measures to include and protect people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities."

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Furthermore, the article discusses the exclusion of men from meaningful definitions of sexual violence. The report shows that men and boys often have no access to sexual violence resources and often face threats of counter-prosecution under strict sodomy laws. The article calls for the expansion of gender considerations in humanitarian crisis response in the hope that gender identities and expressions that vary from the normalised male-female are included.