Many
scholars indicate that engagement, especially among young people, is essential
to lessening the negative consequences of floods in the majority of nations,
such as cyclone Freddy, which severely damaged Southern Africa. The World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) claims that Freddy is one of the most
powerful storms to have ever been seen in the southern hemisphere and may be
the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever. Before moving inland into Malawi
with landslides-causing heavy rains, it pummeled central Mozambique, tearing
off buildings' roofs and causing severe flooding near the port of Quelimane.
While
it is yet unclear how much damage and lives have been lost, it has been
becoming worse in Mozambique, Malawi, and Madagascar in particular. All
afflicted districts of the aforementioned nations have suffered damage to
public infrastructures such schools, hospitals, and major and district
roadways. Because to the harmful effects that climate change is having on all
nations, respective governments and other stakeholders are doing all they can
to lessen the impact of the cyclone. Governments throughout the globe have also
committed to cooperating to fight the issue. In 2015, the United Nations'
members adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The accomplishment of
these goals will have a significant influence on the whole world, thus everyone
must work together, particularly institutions and young people. Focusing on
young, who offer immense potential as agents of social upheaval, is an
essential part of this development plan. Youth, who make up one-third of
ASEAN's population, may be vital to efforts to prepare for, mitigate, and adapt
to disasters due to their variety of backgrounds and skills.
The
role of adolescents in managing flood disasters hasn't been well researched
claimed another scholar Edi Kurniawan in 2021. The contribution of young people
to catastrophe risk reduction and management, according to Eker &
Yilmabaşar, has not received much attention. The older generation still
controls the movement, which is why this scenario exists. Also, according to
Krauss et al. (2020), adolescents are underrepresented in the governance and
decision-making processes of their communities and organizations.
While
there is enough knowledge to prevent and mitigate the effects of disasters in
an economical manner, this knowledge is not reflected or enforced in the
various political arenas, especially at the local level, which has a more
direct responsibility for ensuring the safety of citizens, cities, and towns.
Neither is this information readily apparent among the numerous professional or
technical people in charge of taking action to lessen the risky situations.
Moreover, the most vulnerable individuals are not receiving the crucial
information necessary to save lives, safeguard health, and defend property.
They are often the poorest people, living in acceptable but dangerous housing,
and more inclined to reside in disaster-prone and unpredictable event-prone
places. While it's undeniable that a lack of access to education (in the
broadest sense, i.e. outside of the classroom) contributes to some of the
issue, the root of the issue lies in misunderstandings about what causes
disasters and false perceptions about what constitutes safe and unsafe living
conditions. These misguided beliefs disregard the need to coordinate emergency
response and catastrophe risk mitigation measures. The communities are thus not
resilient enough.
In
2009 Disaster risk reduction (DRR) was defined by United Nations International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) as "the concept and practice of
reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the
causal factors of disasters, including through reduced exposure to hazards,
lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the
environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events". According to
some academics, DRR is the systematic development and application of policies,
methods, and practices to lessen vulnerabilities, hazards, and the spread of
disaster-related repercussions across society, in the long run according to
UNISD in 2004 but Nifa in 2016 regarded disaster risk reduction (DRR) as a
strategy to lessen the harm brought on by a catastrophic catastrophe by
identifying, evaluating, and managing disaster risks, thereby lowering the
community's susceptibility.
In
2018, scholars such as Vicerra pointed that regardless of age or status,
disaster management strongly depends on youth engagement. Youths are extremely
important in reducing catastrophe risk because they have high levels of
inventiveness, confidence, and fearlessness when voicing new ideas Participants
in risk management and risk reduction programs have a greater understanding of
security issues and countermeasures. They also actively promoted greater
preparation in their local vicinity and at home. He pointed indicated that
youths have the ability to positively affect cultural norms and behaviors while
educating their communities about disaster preparation and mitigation
techniques. Thus, it is important to not undervalue their capacity to have an
influence during times of crisis.
Youth
participation in preparedness and recovery activities may be quite beneficial.
By identifying their weaknesses and talents, they may assist families and
communities in preparing for calamities. These people can include those who
lead programs for knowledge sharing and catastrophe preparation. Since they
have a lot of physical energy, they can act quickly in an emergency and help
others with their preparedness and reaction. The youth's capacity for
adaptation is shown by their capacity to recover from hardships like natural
disasters. When it comes to preparing for disasters, they have creative ideas
(Bartlett, 2008). They have a lot of physical energy, which allows them to act
quickly in an emergency and help others get ready and respond according to Rahman
in 2020.
Youth-inclusive
community-based disaster preparation promotes a bottom-up approach to
catastrophe management. Depending on the intensity of the occurrence, the
duration of this phase might vary. It takes 24 to 48 hours for a normal
community to hear the message in its present condition, regardless of the
degree of preparedness. Hence, it is important to provide the neighborhood's
kids rescue, first aid, and psychological first aid training so they can act
independently in an emergency.
If
the program satisfies regional requirements and expands, youth engagement in
disaster management must be enhanced. Involving young people is expected to
have a good influence on flooding-related concerns, such as disseminating
information that will increase community morale after the catastrophe and
accelerating recovery.
Youth
can contribute to better disaster management due to their knowledge of science,
entrepreneurship, technology, and information. Young people's innovative ideas
for reducing catastrophe risk have a high degree of creative potential, self-confidence,
and bravery. The resilience of a community may increase when young people
manage disaster recovery. While integrating kids in DRR has numerous benefits,
research on their views, abilities, and contributions as active agents of
change in their communities is scant. Youth are not effectively engaged in DRR
activities because of cultural, political, and economic barriers, institutions
that cater to adults, and adults' lack of understanding of young according to
Fleming in 2013. Active youth engagement is strongly impacted, especially in
flood-prone regions, by community awareness-raising initiatives and early flood
warning systems. Whether or whether they reside in flood-prone locations,
today's children require flood crisis response simulations, education,
outreach, and training. The UN has promoted young involvement in DRR and
resilience building via a number of initiatives, including the creation of
action guidelines. These recommendations urge realistic implementation and a
people-centered strategy for assisting and including young people in disaster
risk reduction and resilience-building according to UN Office for Disaster Risk
in 2020. A Global Tsunami Awareness Day was previously held by UNDRR in New
York City, with a big student turnout. They called for more educational
programs engaging young people in DRR as part of the occasion.
Overall,
integrating youths in disaster preparedness and recovery may raise their
awareness of potentially dangerous events that may arise in their area and
educate them how to react in a variety of catastrophes.
________________________________________________________________
Winston Muleba is a Zambian youth and
professionally gravitates towards disaster risk reduction, project management, environment
and agriculture matters as he is skilled at juxtaposing the latest research and
expert opinion with the everyday lives and struggles of people on the ground. He
holds a Master’s degree in Project Planning Management and Bachelor of Science
degree in Natural Resources.
Email:
mwenyamuleba@gmail.com
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