Reducing disaster risks with and for children: Children and youth participation in DRR

Embedding child-centred DRR (CCDRR) into local governance is imperative to prevent the loss of life and mitigate adverse social impacts of hazards on vulnerable children, their families and communities.

Since 2013, UNICEF Philippines has been supporting local government to incorporate child perspectives into local DRR plans. The outcome is an increased institutionalization of child and youth participation in DRM processes to enable their meaningful and increased role in civic engagement in addressing community disaster and climate risks.

This talk will highlight a CCDRR project in Mapanas, Northern Samar, Philippines, and what was learned from working closely with the children and youth organization (Kabataan, Kabubwason, Kauswagan translated as the youth is our bright future and progress), Local Government Units (particularly the DRM Councils at the provincial and municipal levels) to build their CCDRR capacities in planning and polices across sectors. It will highlight the process of building the capacity of children and youth organizations, their contributions in CCDRR, specifically on conducting 3D hazard mapping exercises and community education, and how they are engaging their local government units.