Crises and disas­ters cannot be avoided, but their consequences can be mitigated by planning, exercises and prepar­edness. Therefore, we must recognise youths as they are our future assets in emergency and disaster management.

Broderick Mervyn, the Co-ordinator of Ig­nite4Change made this statement at the Review of The Fiji National Dis­aster Management Act 1998 and National Dis­aster Management Plan 1995 – Draft One Bill Workshop.

This was a three-day workshop organised by the National Disas­ter Management Office (NDMO) in collaboration with the Secretariat of the South Pacific Com­munity (SPC) and the In­ternational Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) at the Novotel Hotel in Lami. It was focused on presenting the Draft Fiji Disas­ter Management Act to stake­holders for final discussions before processing it for endorse­ment

“The importance of early en­gagement of youths in planning and preparedness efforts for dis­asters is recognised, however, most studies evaluating youth´s emergency and crisis prepared­ness are descriptive and end up as a case description in hand­books, recommendations, and lectures” said Mervyn.

They have demonstrated knowledge and understand­ings on security issues and measures and have also actively promoted a better preparedness in their sur­roundings and home envi­ronment and that must be commended. Mervyn rec­ommended to the organis­ers that new educational initiatives in the field of emergency and disaster management for children and youths should be pro­vided.

Such education aims to in­crease emergency prepar­edness in schools, enhance individual skills, increase understanding about the work and responsibilities of authorities involved, provide support and oppor­tunities for youths to take responsibility in emergen­cy situations, increase the opportunities for their re­cruitment by these profes­sionals, increase equality and reduce exclusion in some ar­eas and increase understanding of the psychological effects of an event and the need for follow-up.

Source: Ignite4Change

nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj