ReliefWeb

19 April 2012

A new IDS In Focus Policy Briefing, launched today, sets out the right conditions for a child-centred approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation.

Children, Climate Change and Disasters, uses case studies from two disaster-prone countries, the Philippines and El Salvador, to examine the different roles that children can play in DRR and adaptation. The briefing identifies key factors that will support a child-centred approach across different scales; from households and communities, to national and international levels.

Launching the briefing to climate change and development experts at the Sixth International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation (CBA6) in Hanoi, Vietnam, IDS Research Fellow Tom Tanner said: ‘We have to start putting children at the heart of DRR and climate change adaptation work. Climate-related extreme events pose one of the greatest threats to future generations. Programmes need to recognise that children are especially vulnerable to disasters and need protection. But more than that, children themselves have a critical role to play in tackling extreme events and climate change. They have the right to participate in decision-making, as citizens and active agents of change.

‘Our research has shown the variety of ways that children can be involved – whether through designing and implementing projects, analysing risk, or mobilising others to take action. The new In Focus Policy Briefing highlights the range of factors across different scales that will support this.

‘At a local level, these include facilitating youth groups, identifying community champions and creating safe spaces to build trust. Actions are also required at national and international levels, for example national DRR frameworks should train and resource those working in other sectors, such as health and education, with the skills to effectively engage with communities, including children.’