CHILDREN and young people can play a critical role in reducing the impact of disasters and helping to build safer and more resilient communities, according to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
The issue was highlighted during a recent episode of the Rights of the Child Commission’s (RCC) Child Rights Ambassadors and UNICEF Podcast Series, which featured Major Persaud of the CDC discussing the importance of involving children and young people in disaster preparedness.
The discussion focused on the ways disasters affect children, the importance of preparedness at home and in schools, and how young people can become active participants in reducing disaster risks.
Major Persaud noted that children are often among those most severely affected during disasters, making their involvement in preparedness activities essential to reducing the impact of emergencies.
He identified floods, droughts, health-related emergencies and other major disasters as some of the hazards that commonly affect Guyana.
According to Persaud, children can become involved in disaster risk reduction through environmental clubs, schools, community-based organisations and other youth groups.
He also pointed to the important role technology can play in helping young people access information on disaster preparedness and environmental issues.
“In addition to that, children are very tech savvy, so they can visit the different websites that are there hosted by the Civil Defence Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Climate Change, the Government Information Agency, etc. So, there’s a wealth of information out there and there are various clubs and groups that children can participate in,” he said.
Persaud explained that disaster risk reduction involves understanding the risks associated with emergency situations and taking steps to reduce their impact.
He stressed that children should not be viewed merely as victims of disasters, but as potential contributors to disaster management and response.
“A prepared person can save lives; it sounds as though it’s out of reach for a child, but no, it is true—a prepared child can save lives,” he said.
Persaud said children could be assigned various roles during disaster management and response efforts, including helping to identify vulnerable persons in their communities, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities.
They could also assist adults in reaching vulnerable residents during evacuations and in the distribution of food, medication and other essential supplies, he explained.
The RCC said that equipping children and young people with knowledge and practical skills enables them to make informed decisions, assist others and contribute to safer communities.
Major Persaud said the CDC remains willing to partner with youth groups and other stakeholders to strengthen disaster preparedness across the country.
“The Civil Defence Commission is willing to partner with youth groups and different stakeholders to ensure that we can reduce the impacts of hazards and emergencies and disasters in the country,” he said.
“We look forward to working with the young people and ensuring that we’re better prepared for the future,” he added.
