Kids Can HelpKids Can HelpChild-led risk reduction Child-led risk reduction strategiesstrategies

Beryl ChealBeryl ChealDisaster Training InternationalDisaster Training International

disastertraining@gmail.comdisastertraining@gmail.comwww.disastertraining.org www.disastertraining.org

Why should we involve Why should we involve kids in risk reduction?kids in risk reduction?

We need to do something new because -We need to do something new because -

We’ve found that traditional centralized We’ve found that traditional centralized approaches to risk reduction don’t meet needs of approaches to risk reduction don’t meet needs of communities.communities.

So we are developing community-based disaster So we are developing community-based disaster risk reduction approaches.risk reduction approaches.

Child-led disaster risk reduction empowers those Child-led disaster risk reduction empowers those most at risk in communities – our children.most at risk in communities – our children.

In fact --In fact --

Kids are one of our most Kids are one of our most vulnerable populations.vulnerable populations.

American Academy of American Academy of PediatricsPediatrics

““Disasters. . . are frightening for adults and can be Disasters. . . are frightening for adults and can be equally, or even more, traumatic for children. . . “equally, or even more, traumatic for children. . . “

““Children can regain their sense of power and Children can regain their sense of power and security if they feel that they can help in some way. security if they feel that they can help in some way. This can be accomplished by encouraging This can be accomplished by encouraging youngsters to participate in or organize a youngsters to participate in or organize a community response effort. . .”community response effort. . .”

APA Journal, Vol. 117, No. 2, February 2006 APA Journal, Vol. 117, No. 2, February 2006

““Mental-Health Vulnerabilities in Development of Resiliency”Mental-Health Vulnerabilities in Development of Resiliency”

David Markenson and Sally ReynoldsDavid Markenson and Sally Reynolds

Implementation of child-led Implementation of child-led risk reduction activities has risk reduction activities has shown that:shown that:

When disaster occurs fewer lives are When disaster occurs fewer lives are lost.lost.

Children are more resilient and the Children are more resilient and the negative impact of disasters on survivors negative impact of disasters on survivors is significantly reduced.is significantly reduced.

Children’s mental and emotional recovery Children’s mental and emotional recovery is helped.is helped.

Child-led risk reduction:Child-led risk reduction:

Can be a program – but it’s more than Can be a program – but it’s more than that. that. It’s a philosophy, It’s a philosophy, A state of mind, A state of mind, An idea about inclusion. An idea about inclusion.

Including kids in planning for their safety Including kids in planning for their safety – planning for their future.– planning for their future.

Child-led risk reductionChild-led risk reduction

Are activities that seek:Are activities that seek: To increase children’s understanding To increase children’s understanding

of the risks of disasters in their communities.of the risks of disasters in their communities.

To strengthen children’s skills which will To strengthen children’s skills which will enable them to take the lead in reducing the enable them to take the lead in reducing the risks and impacts of potential disasters.risks and impacts of potential disasters.

Children who participate in Children who participate in child-led risk reduction child-led risk reduction activities:activities:

Develop a greater capacity to cope with Develop a greater capacity to cope with disasters. disasters.

Their sense of security is increased. Their sense of security is increased. Their knowledge of the risks is developed. Their knowledge of the risks is developed. Their sense of control and survival Their sense of control and survival

potential is enhanced by knowing how to potential is enhanced by knowing how to respond to disasters. respond to disasters.

But it’s – a new ideaBut it’s – a new idea

Myths:Myths: Adults know best.Adults know best. Kids aren’t interested.Kids aren’t interested. They don’t have the expertise.They don’t have the expertise. They don’t understand the issues.They don’t understand the issues. They don’t have time.They don’t have time. They are “just kids” – they play games.They are “just kids” – they play games. Kid’s ideas just won’t work.Kid’s ideas just won’t work. It’s easier for adults to talk with other adults.It’s easier for adults to talk with other adults. And it’s faster to just do it ourselves.And it’s faster to just do it ourselves.

We’ve all heard it said We’ve all heard it said that:that:

““Father knows best.”Father knows best.” ““Children should be seen and not heard.”Children should be seen and not heard.” ““Children must respect their elders.”Children must respect their elders.” ““Children must follow the rules.”Children must follow the rules.” ““There are authorities that know how risk There are authorities that know how risk

reduction should be organized and reduction should be organized and implemented.”implemented.”

““We are in an age of specialization. Let the We are in an age of specialization. Let the specialists do that work.”specialists do that work.”

Important principles to Important principles to remember:remember:

We learn by doing. We learn by doing. (Thomas Dewey)(Thomas Dewey)

We learn by teaching others.We learn by teaching others. We can relieve some of our own stress by We can relieve some of our own stress by

helping others.helping others. We want to do important things, not just We want to do important things, not just

clean up after someone else.clean up after someone else. We want to make a difference.We want to make a difference. Children want to help.Children want to help.

What is child-led risk What is child-led risk reduction?reduction?

It’s about listening to kids. It’s about listening to kids. It’s about teaching kids.It’s about teaching kids. It’s about finding ways to support kids.It’s about finding ways to support kids. It’s about leadership and sharing It’s about leadership and sharing

responsibilities.responsibilities. It’s about trust. It’s about trust. It’s about getting kids involved in the actual It’s about getting kids involved in the actual

process of disaster risk reduction.process of disaster risk reduction. It’s about inclusion – including kids.It’s about inclusion – including kids.

But most of all……But most of all……

It is an idea that:It is an idea that:

Lets kids know they are active and valuable Lets kids know they are active and valuable members of society and have the members of society and have the rightright to to help make themselves and their communities help make themselves and their communities safer by being involved as major players.safer by being involved as major players.

Lets kids know they are active partners in all Lets kids know they are active partners in all phases of disaster management: mitigation, phases of disaster management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recoverypreparedness, response and recovery

As part of community As part of community based risk management:based risk management:

We need to empower those most at risk We need to empower those most at risk within communities: our kids.within communities: our kids.

We need to remember that kids are We need to remember that kids are active citizens – able to participate in active citizens – able to participate in making decisions and taking action on making decisions and taking action on issues that are relevant to their lives.issues that are relevant to their lives.

Child-led risk reductionChild-led risk reduction

Empowers kids and youth to Empowers kids and youth to become involved in their become involved in their communities’ preparedness and communities’ preparedness and mitigation plans.mitigation plans.

Helps develop a culture of safety.Helps develop a culture of safety.

Remember that --Remember that --

Disaster risk reduction involves not only Disaster risk reduction involves not only actually actually mitigating physical hazardsmitigating physical hazards, but , but also also developing an awareness of safetydeveloping an awareness of safety and and learninglearning about how and why things about how and why things happen. happen.

If we know why things happen we are If we know why things happen we are more likely to act on that knowledge, that more likely to act on that knowledge, that information.information.

Kids/youth who have been Kids/youth who have been involved in child-led risk involved in child-led risk reduction activities say:reduction activities say:

““At first we were worried that adults would not At first we were worried that adults would not help us when we visited the community to help us when we visited the community to gather information. But it turned out that they gather information. But it turned out that they were very cooperative. Many of them say that were very cooperative. Many of them say that the map is very helpful.” – Thailandthe map is very helpful.” – Thailand

““I'm not scared of any disasters anymore, I'm not scared of any disasters anymore, because I already know what to do.” - because I already know what to do.” - Philippines Philippines

And more . . .And more . . .

““Of course the risks were there before, Of course the risks were there before, but we did not have the knowledge to but we did not have the knowledge to identify them.” - Sri Lankaidentify them.” - Sri Lanka

““We want to inform all the community We want to inform all the community members on knowledge and skills related members on knowledge and skills related to disaster preparedness.” - India to disaster preparedness.” - India

And still there are And still there are more . . more . .

““We can teach the community and We can teach the community and government about the issues that children government about the issues that children face during disasters -- we must share our face during disasters -- we must share our experiences with them.” - Indonesia experiences with them.” - Indonesia

““In school we learnt about disasters, and In school we learnt about disasters, and we participate in disaster risk reduction in we participate in disaster risk reduction in our commune with the adults.” – Viet Namour commune with the adults.” – Viet Nam

What ages of kids can beWhat ages of kids can be

involved in disaster involved in disaster

risk reduction?risk reduction?

All agesAll ages

Younger children can Younger children can participate by:participate by:

Talking about safetyTalking about safety Learning about living safely Learning about living safely Practicing safetyPracticing safety Teaching others about safetyTeaching others about safety Helping their families think about safety Helping their families think about safety

at home, school and workat home, school and work

Older children can Older children can participate by:participate by:

Getting to know their neighbors. Getting to know their neighbors. Helping their families develop emergency Helping their families develop emergency

plans.plans. Observing safety hazards at school and in their Observing safety hazards at school and in their

communities.communities. Helping their school develop an emergency Helping their school develop an emergency

plan.plan. Learning about possible hazards in their area.Learning about possible hazards in their area.

Each community is Each community is different, but kids might different, but kids might also:also:

Map their school and communities.Map their school and communities. Talk with educational and civic leaders Talk with educational and civic leaders

about hazards.about hazards. Advocate for hazards mitigation.Advocate for hazards mitigation. Educate their community about hazards.Educate their community about hazards.

And . . .And . . .

Take part in community safety meetings.Take part in community safety meetings. Develop safety educational materials.Develop safety educational materials. Share what it’s like to be a child/youth in Share what it’s like to be a child/youth in

disaster.disaster. Help evaluate the emergency plan.Help evaluate the emergency plan. Talk with decision makers about the Talk with decision makers about the

impact of disasters on kids. impact of disasters on kids.

Kids can do things on Kids can do things on their own, but……..their own, but……..

It’s easier to get started, and more fun working It’s easier to get started, and more fun working with other kids through:with other kids through: SchoolsSchools Before and after school programsBefore and after school programs Community groups/clubsCommunity groups/clubs Parks and recreation programsParks and recreation programs YMCAs or YWCAsYMCAs or YWCAs Summer camps (day camps or residential camps)Summer camps (day camps or residential camps) Religious groupsReligious groups Fire departmentsFire departments Emergency management officesEmergency management offices

Schools are a great place to start.Schools are a great place to start.

Why should schools be Why should schools be involved?involved?

That’s where kids are:That’s where kids are: A child spends approximately 6 out of 13 to A child spends approximately 6 out of 13 to

15 waking hours a day in school.15 waking hours a day in school.

That is nearly one half of the child’s weekly That is nearly one half of the child’s weekly life.life.

Kendall Johnson, Ph.DKendall Johnson, Ph.D““Crisis and Stress Management Techniques for Counselors, Teachers Crisis and Stress Management Techniques for Counselors, Teachers

and Other Professionals”and Other Professionals”

But schools are also where But schools are also where children can be the most children can be the most vulnerable.vulnerable.

““When a natural hazard strikes, children When a natural hazard strikes, children are among the most vulnerable are among the most vulnerable population group, especially those population group, especially those attending school in times of disaster.”attending school in times of disaster.”

Salvano BricenoSalvano Briceno

““Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School”Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School”

United Nations, International Strategy for Disaster ReductionUnited Nations, International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

Kids have been or could be Kids have been or could be victimized at school victimized at school because of:because of:

Structural hazards (China – 11,000 students Structural hazards (China – 11,000 students and teachers killed in earthquake, 2008)and teachers killed in earthquake, 2008)

Location of schools in environmentally Location of schools in environmentally hazardous areas (Orting, WA, base of Mt. hazardous areas (Orting, WA, base of Mt. Rainier)Rainier)

Human instigated violence (playground Human instigated violence (playground shootings, Stockton, CA)shootings, Stockton, CA)

Location of schools near major transportation Location of schools near major transportation routes (chemical spills)routes (chemical spills)

To help our kids survive and To help our kids survive and be more resilient remember be more resilient remember that:that:

Disaster risk reduction involves : Disaster risk reduction involves : Actually mitigating physical Actually mitigating physical

hazards,hazards, Developing an awareness of safety, Developing an awareness of safety,

and;and; Learning about how and why things Learning about how and why things

happen.happen.

So how can schools help?So how can schools help?

Develop disaster/emergency plans and include Develop disaster/emergency plans and include kids in:kids in: Developing the plan.Developing the plan. Decision making about the plan.Decision making about the plan. Assessing and evaluating the plan.Assessing and evaluating the plan. Marketing the plan.Marketing the plan.

Encourage teachers to help kids learn about Encourage teachers to help kids learn about disasters by:disasters by: Providing resources for learning.Providing resources for learning. Getting kids involved in experiential learning.Getting kids involved in experiential learning.

Experiential learning Experiential learning could be included in any could be included in any or all of these school or all of these school learning environments:learning environments:

ScienceScience HealthHealth CivicsCivics HistoryHistory Social StudiesSocial Studies EnglishEnglish MathMath ArtArt

JournalismJournalism Public Speaking/debatePublic Speaking/debate LiteratureLiterature DramaDrama

Levels of child-led disaster Levels of child-led disaster risk reduction at schoolrisk reduction at school

Level ILevel I Fire drillFire drill

Level IILevel II Desk learningDesk learning

Level IIILevel III Experiential learning/projectsExperiential learning/projects

Level IV Level IV Help develop school emergency planHelp develop school emergency plan

Level VLevel V Participate in community emergency planParticipate in community emergency plan

Source: Beryl ChealSource: Beryl Cheal

Schools can also:Schools can also:

Encourage clubs and extra curricular activities for Encourage clubs and extra curricular activities for studentsstudents Teen SERT TrainingTeen SERT Training First aid trainingFirst aid training

Provide space for community meetingsProvide space for community meetings

Co-sponsor community emergency Co-sponsor community emergency preparedness/safety eventspreparedness/safety events

Assist in developing a community-wide Assist in developing a community-wide emergency planemergency plan

Before and after school Before and after school activities could include:activities could include:

Safety clubs that help design and implement Safety clubs that help design and implement safety campaigns onsafety campaigns on: :

A school and/or community culture of safetyA school and/or community culture of safety A community safety fairA community safety fair A community preparedness fairA community preparedness fair Bicycle safetyBicycle safety Swimming safetySwimming safety Community safetyCommunity safety Home safetyHome safety

Children’s clubs could:Children’s clubs could:

Teach children basic first aid skills.Teach children basic first aid skills. Provide opportunities for children to design Provide opportunities for children to design

evacuation routes and procedures for the club.evacuation routes and procedures for the club. Research equipment and supplies needed to Research equipment and supplies needed to

keep club kids safe in an emergency.keep club kids safe in an emergency. Discuss safety at the club and design safety Discuss safety at the club and design safety

procedures for kids who belong to the club.procedures for kids who belong to the club.

All of these activities All of these activities help children and youth:help children and youth:

Understand more about their Understand more about their environment.environment.

Accumulate information about what to Accumulate information about what to do in an emergency or disaster.do in an emergency or disaster.

Another reminder -Another reminder -

Child-led risk reduction is about:Child-led risk reduction is about:

Letting children know they are active Letting children know they are active and valuable members of society and and valuable members of society and have the have the rightright to help make themselves to help make themselves and their communities safer by being and their communities safer by being involved as major players, as partners.involved as major players, as partners.

It all fits together.It all fits together.

All of the things that kids/youth learn about: All of the things that kids/youth learn about:

What disasters have happened in the past.What disasters have happened in the past. Why various disasters happen at all.Why various disasters happen at all. What they can do to make themselves and What they can do to make themselves and

their families safer.their families safer. How they can get this information out into How they can get this information out into

the community.the community.

Gives them more Gives them more information and expertise toinformation and expertise to

increasingly contribute to their increasingly contribute to their own well-being.own well-being.

And it helps develop And it helps develop a culture of safety.a culture of safety.

ResourcesResources

Disaster Training International – www.disastertraining.org Disaster Training International – www.disastertraining.org Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - www.fema.gov Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - www.fema.gov FEMA for Kids - www.fema.gov/kids/ FEMA for Kids - www.fema.gov/kids/ Investigating Natural Disasters Through Children's Literature: An Investigating Natural Disasters Through Children's Literature: An

Integrated ApproachIntegrated Approach by Anthony D. Fredericks by Anthony D. Fredericks Live Science - www.livescience.com/ Live Science - www.livescience.com/ Masters of DisasterMasters of Disaster, developed by the American Red Cross - , developed by the American Red Cross -

www.redcross.org/ www.redcross.org/ Plan international Plan international

www.planusa.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/560953 www.planusa.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/560953 Risk RED - Risk Reduction Education for Disasters - www.riskred.org/ Risk RED - Risk Reduction Education for Disasters - www.riskred.org/ Save the Children Sweden - www.savethechildren.se/ Save the Children Sweden - www.savethechildren.se/ Teen SERT - www.cert-la.com/links/teensert.htm Teen SERT - www.cert-la.com/links/teensert.htm US Weather Service - www.weather.com/ US Weather Service - www.weather.com/