International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024

On the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we highlight the urgent need to protect and empower our children and youth in the face of increasing disasters, many of which are exacerbated by climate change.

According to UNICEF, approximately one billion children worldwide are at extreme risk due to climate impacts and climate-related disasters. In 2022 alone, the number of children affected by flooding in Chad, Gambia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh reached the highest levels in over 30 years. Beyond the immediate risk of death and injury, children face cascading impacts such as disruptions in schooling, nutrition, healthcare, and protection issues in the aftermath of disasters.

To address these challenges and achieve the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the theme of this year's International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is "Empowering the next generation for a resilient future". This theme aligns with the Summit of the Future, where 'youth and future generations' were a top priority.

Call to Action:

It is imperative for countries to prioritise the education sector in reducing disaster risks for school-aged children by investing in two key areas:

1. Protect children through safe schools: Every child has the right to safety in their schools. This begins with ensuring that schools are disaster-resilient and integrated into early warning systems for disasters.
2. Empower children for safety: Provide age-appropriate education to children to help them understand and respond to the risks they face. By building their preparedness and empowering them to take early action in response to warnings, we can create a generation of empowered agents of change for resilient communities.

We urge countries to endorse and implement the Comprehensive School Safety Framework 2022-2030, developed by the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES), chaired by UNESCO and UNICEF.

Together, let's work towards a safer, more resilient future for our children and youth. Use this Toolkit to join this year's campaign.

To learn more on the subject of risk reduction check out the Greening Facility's Quick Tips: Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction, Environmental and Climate Change Action at Sector Level. 

For further guidance on Disaster Risk Reduction, contact the EU Greening Facility at INTPA-GREENING-FACILITY@ec.europa.eu | NEAR-GREENING-FACILITY@ec.europa.eu