Enhance Participation of Youth in Disaster Response

Maha Barjas Al-Barjas, Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said that as the world gradually returns to normal after the pandemic, we need to continue to respond to challenges, from natural disasters to social conflicts. This causes negative impacts on young people such as interruption of education, unemployment, gender-based violence, and other health risks.

Maha Barjas Al-Barjas, Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (left) discussed with delegates at the event (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Themed "Improving Resilience: Youth Leaders Inspire with Creativity to Prepare for Disasters", the forum aims to change the way of thinking and working for today's young generation.

“IFRC believes that children and young people are not just passive recipients of support, but can also become game-changers in disaster readiness,” said Maha Barjas Al-Barjas.

At the forum, delegates discussed five topics including challenges and opportunities for young people, skills to increase the use of digital technology and environmentally friendly products, building knowledge about innovation and digitalization, and preparing to respond to disaster.

At the event. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to Sarita Love, president of the Asia-Pacific Youth Network (APYN), digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and regional chatting rooms help connect young people across borders. Digital platforms provide opportunities for career development, exchange, and connection among young people. She believes that it is necessary to take advantage of digital platforms with greater frequency and efficiency to increase young people's participation in disaster response. It is necessary to create opportunities for young people to participate in creating programs, organizing activities, speaking, and sharing opinions at relevant forums.

“At the Asia-Pacific Youth Network, our leaders attach great importance to the digitalization of volunteer activities. We organize many online seminars on climate change, mental health, and innovation. The geographical distance between countries in the Asia-Pacific region makes it difficult to connect young people. The Asia-Pacific Youth Network is making efforts to find solutions to effectively apply digital platforms to overcome this difficulty."

The Youth Forum opens up a series of activities within the 11th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (AP-11) hosted by the Vietnam Red Cross Society. The conference, themed "Becoming Disaster Ready in Asia-Pacific," takes place from November 20 to 23, attracting the participation of 100 Vietnamese delegates and 350 international delegates.

Huynh Thi Xuan Lam, Vice President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to Vice President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society Huynh Thi Xuan Lam, this is the second time the Vietnam Red Cross Society has hosted the regional conference. As the world is facing many humanitarian issues, while Vietnam's position is enhanced, she hopes that young delegates from national associations in the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam, will promote intelligence, youth, and creativity to actively contribute to activities to respond to climate change and disasters.

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