Voices of hope: adolescents and the tsunami
Only four days after the disaster, UNICEF’s interactive website, Voices of Youth, was filled with messages from young people the world over expressing shock and solidarity, and offering to help. In an extraordinary outpouring of feelings and practical solutions, they demonstrated their desire and their ability to comfort, analyse and act. When given the opportunity to influence the plans and decisions that affect their lives, adolescents in emergency situations have spoken out against abuse or neglect, have joined hands with planners and managers in designing appropriate community programmes, and have initiated actions to support their peers.