As the frequency and severity of natural disasters increase across the region influenced by changes in the climate, children’s lives are being adversely affected. Children are the most at risk during and after a disaster. But if children are treated as actors in addressing the impacts of natural disasters and climate change on their lives and community, and not victims in disasters, their risk can be reduced.
Save the Children and its partners believe that children can recover from the disaster impact, and play an active role in their communities and schools if they are equipped with skills and knowledge and have support from adults. With the participation of children, a community’s development plan and disaster preparedness would truly reflect the needs and rights of all community members, including children. To protect and save lives, we work with community members, particularly children, to better understand the nature of natural disasters, climate change and know how to protect themselves when disasters occur.
Governments and societies across the world consistently underrate the value of children as agents of change. It is essential for adults and children to recognise that boys and girls have full human rights and potential to make a difference in their own lives, communities and society at large.
Children take action
Save the Children works with partners to support children’s groups and their initiatives to take action – to reduce the impact of disasters and climate change on their lives and their communities. Too often children are seen as passive victims of disasters. However, if children are given the opportunity and support, children are willing and able to take action in response to disasters and climate change. Children have ideas on how to respond based on their experience and knowledge. They want to take action – be part of the solution.
Thailand: In 4 villages of northern and southern Thailand, children have participated in disasters risk reduction (DRR) activities since 2008. In 2010, they have moved forward by integrating climate change adaptation activities into disaster risk reduction activities: building dykes to mitigate flood during rainy seasons, conducting child led research on climate change to understand better the impact of climate change in their communities, and conducting community radio programme to disseminate information and raise awareness about climate change. Children are empowered to work with adults in developing community’s disaster preparedness plans and establish children’s clubs of disaster warning.
Indonesia: In some areas of Jakarta, rubbish blocks rivers and drains causing floods in the rainy season. Children took action to reduce the rubbish in their communities by collecting plastic water bottles and selling them. Save the Children’s local partner organised a workshop to recycle and make products out of the plastic for children and their communities.
Vietnam: More than 600 children in 30 schools have been trained in child rights and disaster risk reduction issues. As a result children actively participate in disaster risk analysis, the production of school-risk maps and action plans, and disseminate DRR knowledge to younger children and decision makers.
Philippines: Children have been empowered to analyse community hazard, vulnerability and capacity assessment. They participate in disaster response teams to assist other children during a disaster.