Mapping out a safer future

ABOVE: Kids proudly hold up a map they’ve developed that helps them to identify the hazards in their community, and where they should evacuate to in an emergency. PHOTO: Raymond Hulanga/Save the Children

Across the Pacific, children are at particular risk when disaster hits, and are often more vulnerable to harm than others in their community. Through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership’s Disaster READY initiative, children in the Solomon Islands are learning to properly assess their own safety in their everyday surroundings when their lives are impacted by the threat of disaster or climate change.

To help young people understand the importance of preparedness, AHP partner, Save the Children, conducted Hazard, Vulnerability, and Exposure mapping activities for children aged 13 to 16-year-old from Isabel province.

“The purpose of this children’s community mapping activity is to establish children's understanding and assessment of their own sense of safety at home and in their community for climate adaptation and disaster resilience,” said Lilita Waleanisia, Save the Children’s Program Quality and Impact Manager.

“Through participation of children in the community risk hazard mapping exercises, children will then identify risk hazard zones and safer zones in their own communities and their surroundings in case of a natural disaster strikes.

“Children can both design and implement plans to reduce risks by looking at their own situations, and that they often know what needs to change to improve their daily lives. Community mapping activities will also help us identify areas that are known to these children as safer zones and risk zones including areas that are vulnerable to natural hazards such as flooding and landslide which are dangerous and deadly to children in their community.”

ABOVE: Children in the Solomon Islands work together to identify and draw the hazards in their community. PHOTO: Raymond Hulanga/Save the Children

Sixteen-year-old James said that after drawing his map with his friends, he knows the places he should and shouldn’t be during an emergency.

“Now I know where I can run to and evacuate myself, my siblings, and my family in case there is a natural hazard strikes in my community,” he said. “I learn a lot of new things and knowledge on natural disasters such as cyclones, floodings and landslides. Now I understand how to prepare and protect myself from these disasters and the knowledge and skills before, during and after any natural disaster occurrences.”

Disaster READY focuses on ensuring vulnerable groups, including women, people living with disabilities, and children, are included and accounted for in disaster preparedness, management, and risk reduction activities.

Disaster READY is supported by the Australian Government and implemented through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.