Oct 112 min read

Empowering and protecting youth for a resilient future

Updated: Oct 13

Empowering and protecting youth is the focus of this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (October 13). This strongly aligns with the way we work. As young people learn to take action ahead of disasters, they become the next generation of resilience leaders.

Here are some ways that we support their progress in communities across the globe:

Make schools safer learning spaces. Well-constructed schools not only protect students but also the promise of an education. In under-resourced communities, hazards have destroyed or damaged thousands of schools. Children who lose their school in a disaster may not be able to finish their studies. That’s why we train local builders to construct schools that are resistant to earthquakes and other hazards. In Bhutan and Nepal, we introduced locally-manufactured Earthquake Desks as an interim safety measure until schools are made earthquake-resistant. The Desks provide students with safer cover from heavy falling debris. In all of the countries where we work, we facilitate school emergency planning and practicing with safety drills.

Equip youth with life-saving disaster knowledge. Through our programs in Haiti, Bhutan, Dominican Republic, India, Nepal and the Philippines, youth leaders are learning the science behind disasters, teaching others how to be safe, and participating in safety exercises. They are sharing what they learn through creative slam poetry, art, theater, and essay competitions. Not surprisingly, their communities encourage them and trust their messages.

Support youths’ agency in resilience. Local people are best placed to lead and implement change, and knowing how to take action can turn fear into empowerment. That’s why our programs provide youth with a role and a voice in disaster awareness and planning. We also provide training for young professionals in technical fields relevant to mitigating local hazard risks. Young women in particular find female role models in our local staff. With new knowledge and capacities, young pathfinders can steer lasting impact in their communities.

Here are some exciting highlights of this work in action