Plan International: Young people take part in global disasters conference
Plan International has sent a delegation to the 2011 United Nations Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Geneva – a conference which takes place every two years. More than 2,000 decision-makers and disasters specialists, as well as organizations and specialists from health and education sectors, come together at the conference to share their knowledge and experience of reducing the risks of disasters.
Plan is hosting several sessions at this year’s conference, which is taking place from May 8th to 13th, and is supporting the participation of two youth from the Philippines –Tricia, aged 14, and Andre aged 16.
Tricia and Andre are both from Cebu province and are members of their school DRR group. As part of their training, Andre and Tricia have learned to swim and to perform first aid. They are also involved in tree and mangrove planting, which helps to prevent soil erosion. Both Tricia and Andre are excited about attending the conference, meeting other young people and having the opportunity to talk to important leaders.
Children recover from disasters more quickly when they are involved in rebuilding their community. Plan ensures that children, like Andre, take part in Plan's disaster response and have a significant voice in the decision-making.
With about 875 million school children living in earthquake prone zones and hundreds of millions exposed to regular flood, landslide, and extreme wind and fire hazards, Plan will be emphasizing the need for greater focus on children’s rights in Disaster Risk Management, specifically to education and participation.
"Plan’s work shows that children need to be involved in DRR decision-making because they are very concerned about the state of the environment and the impact of disasters. They take a long term view, are effective communicators and are passionate about turning ideas into action. Moreover children are the leaders and decision makers of tomorrow – children involved in DRR today will become a new generation better prepared for disasters of tomorrow," says Dr. Nick Hall, Plan's Disaster Risk Reduction Adviser.