Learning about disaster prevention! Children can contribute to risk reduction too
This booklet aims to present an innovative interactive tool for disaster risk reduction for the educational community and children in Latin America and the Caribbean, but not only.
Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and landslides are, in fact, natural phenomena present throughout human history. However, rapid population growth, environmental degradation and pollution, increasing poverty and other factors have contributed to turning these physical phenomena into disasters. These events cause enormous loss of life, damage infrastructure and property, and endanger the rights of children. Children, particularly infants and the disabled, are one of the most vulnerable social groups when faced with a natural or man-made threat.
Many disasters occur while children are at school, exercising their right to education. Children have the right to live in safety: it is the duty of national and local governments, national and international communities, institutions, families and schools to provide them with adequate protection. They are the children of today, the youth of tomorrow and the adult population of the future.