International Day for Disaster Reduction
Making Children & Youth Partners in Disaster Risk Reduction
Children and young people are often perceived as victims of disasters rather than active agents of change who can make a real difference in terms of disaster risk reduction within their schools, households and within their communities.
Addressing high child mortality rates as well as the significant psychological impacts of disasters on children requires new approaches that recognize the role of children as agents of change. Participatory disaster risk management (DRM) policies and programming, children and young people are actively engaged in decision-making and accountability processes. These can improve communication and integrated planning within communities, and increasingly serve to promote effective preparation and prevention.
In line with the third priorities of the Hyogo Framework for Action and the Chair’s Summary of the Third Section that endorses a five point charter on children and disaster reduction, the International day for disaster risk reduction will celebrate children and young people as partners for DRR and connect with them to include their contributions to the Disaster risk reduction in the upcoming four years.