Disability inclusion in DRR Experiences from Save the Children

Children In a Changing Climate Coalition Children in a Changing Climate is a coalition of leading child-focused research, development and humanitarian organisations each with a commitment to share knowledge, coordinate activities and work with children as agents of change. Committed to effective protection and meaningful participation of children and young people in our changing climate. Children's unique experiences of climate change impacts and their specific insights and priorities need to be recognised in both climate change adaptation and mitigation policy and practice. The coalition began in 2007 and continues to host events and disseminate research, through film, print and online media,

Children’s Charter for Disaster Risk Reduction Developed through consultations with more than 600 children in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America and identifies children's priorities for Disaster Risk Reduction. The five points identified by the children include: 1) Schools must be safe and education must not be interrupted 2) Child protection must be a priority before, during and after a disaster 3) Children have the right to participate and to access the information they need 4) Community infrastructure must be safe, and relief and reconstruction must help reduce future risk 5) Disaster Risk Reduction must reach the most vulnerable people

Reaching the Most Vulnerable: DRR in Armenia Regional Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Project in Georgia/Armenia : 2202 children from 24 special education and care institutions. Very young children, children with disabilities and children living in institutions are especially vulnerable but are often excluded from DRR education Save the Children has been operating in Armenia since 1993 in health, education, social initiatives and community based projects. Armenia: capital city, Yerevan – siesmological high risk area 1988 – earthquake in Spitak – 25,000 deaths 1991 – Government of Armenia has addressed DRR

Project Objectives Provide practical methods and materials to teachers and caregivers so they are familiar with DRR information and evacuation procedures for children with disabilities in these schools and institutions Create or strengthen disaster management committees in each institution and ensure that plans include preparedness such as evacuation and safe shelter-seeking exercises and that practice drills are done according to the plan Improve accessibility of evacuation routes though physical infrastructure upgrades Adapt/update existing municipal &/or ministry disaster management plans to include the specific needs of vulnerable children

Earthquake Simulation Drills

Key Achievements Set of inclusive DRR educational materials: – Game book with interactive materials for full participation of all children – Teachers’ guide book on how to provide DRR information to children with different impairments – Audio CD on safe behaviour during earthquakes – Plans to institutionalise the project focus at national policy level – Integrate methodology and tools into the national curriculum

Earthquake Simulation Drills

5) Disaster Risk Reduction must reach the most vulnerable people “Global platform for DRR, 4 th session, held in Geneva, may excerpt from the session “The resilient future we want – children and DRR.” Children discussing the 5 th item on the charter – DRR must reach the most vulnerable people: