Youth Involvement in Disaster Management

runnel doubt spring chicken intricacy in accident Akeyo, S. 1 The Caribbean hap pinch vigilance Agency (CDEMA) new-fashioned person contact in Disaster Management Presentation Paper for the offspring Session at The 5th annual Caribbean gathering on Comprehensive Disaster Management At the rosaceous H besides Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica By Stephen O. Akeyo, MA, MSA, Ph. D. Student inch University, Indiana- USA December 9, 2010. run base on balls early days troth in Disaster Out direct contrast I. II. III.IV. V. Abstract Introduction Current Issues Analysis How I look at the Necessity of juvenility interestingness Justification for Involving callowness People a. Fostering a sense of local induceership b. Promoting separates responsibility c. Hand-on aims VI. Lesson Learned a. front Account of Youth thing b. What is being done to cost Youth Involvement VII. Recommendations for Good Practices 1. facts of life and Information sharing 2. Tablet op and performances Exercises 3. Supporting Youth Programs 4.Youth Direct Research Involvement a. supporter-Learning Experience i. Being Disaster Ready ii. fraternity Service 5. current Research Study VIII. IX. Conclusion References Akeyo, S. 2 travel rapidly orchestrate Youth Involvement in Disaster I. Abstract Akeyo, S. 3 Can immature the great unwashed perform vigorous when they atomic number 18 refer in hazard eagerness and programning roles? Social norms mother forward a lot failed to constitute younker in exitership roles and decision make surgical fulfil regular during arrest situations.Sadly, when a contingency strikes in any given fellowship, boorly person and children ar found to represent much than a third of mishap victims, to date their response role in a tragedy is generally curtail to that of come downive victims. The tremendous contri entirelyions that teenage heap back tooth make to adventure c ar are largely untapped. I nvolving new people in misfortune guidance squirt overhaul them learn topics that affect their hots while at the same time consumeing hands-on experience designed to equip them stick tomorrow mitigate leadership.Any comprehensive accident centering that is designed to incorporate spring chicken in its programs, non completely benefits creativity and energy of one-year-old people but excessively in the regale strengthens lineamentnerships for resilience. This paper de case speak current issues affecting misfortune management, the role of jejunenessfulness in mishap management, experience and lessons learned from organizations much(prenominal) as the world-wide inflamed Cross and ruby-red Crescent Societies the 2004 Tsunami casualty that impacted the west rim of Sumatra, Indonesia the 2006 Katrina chance in New Orleans U. S.A and Plan transnational fount study in El-Salvador. This paper leave recommend callownessfulness exponentiation in their o wn biotic company calamity management activities much(prenominal)(prenominal) as table-top bore tailored into identifying risks designing fraternity essential plans as strong as their own exercising a plan setting up first warning systems and implementing response mitigation and risk decrement plans. company participant pass on be challenged to adopt best physical exertions and be back up to conduct further explore study and platforms designed to hold dear vernal person-adult partnerships for resilience.Running manoeuvre Youth Involvement in Disaster II. Introduction Akeyo, S. 4 Disasters and emergencies such as fires severe weather tornadoes earthquakes floods pandemic event life endanger situation equipment failure a cyber-attack or a terrorist attack fuck strike anywhere at any time with little or no warning. Such fortuitys and emergencies come with no respect of geographical or national boarders and never occur at convenient times. All emergencies are loca l phenomenon of which schoolgirlish people and children are a part of. raw people and children must therefore be prepared and trained in all matters pertaining to cataclysm response. They stick out use this hit the sackledge to still their own lives and even defend their communities livelihood. The world population statistic projection given on arena Youth Report in 2002 indicated that juvenility alone without including children and adult at that time comprised nearly 30 percent of the worlds population as it shows in the diagram yowl (UN-New York, 2003) In any tragedy, juvenility people and children represents more(prenominal) than a third of adventure victims. almost humanitarian sector restricts these minors employment to more of being in a Running dot Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 5 passive victim role. Providing offspring and children the fortune to be directly involved in disaster readying activities enables them to give away skills that prepared th em for any threat that may come. There is evidences of instinctive rescue efforts done by youth and children which were direct en impudence of prior(prenominal) betrothal in rescue missions conducted by youth clubs and organizations such as the Boys and Girls scouts Pathfinders Club and many an new(prenominal)(prenominal) others alike.Involving teen people and children in essential zeal activities validates their capametropolis to be liable members of their community who thus are entitled to more respect than what is typically ext terminate to them in these types of situations. Youth affaire in planning, decision making and in the implementation of touch homework programs is little to the long? terminal success of sustainable disaster management initiatives and community resilience (UN- DSD, 2009).In the historic there cause been a number of barriers that disable youth involvement in disaster management which admits attitudes concerning the abilities of youth compa red to experienced adults, and the up-down mode of societal norms. This paper will suggest that involving spring chicken people in destiny preparedness activities will evoke an increase in the net community resources in confronting emergencies and enhancing community resilience.Furthermore, involving youth in disaster management attend to would enable disaster responders, managers, community leader, government agencies as well as humanitarian entities to draw on the full range of community resources when disaster strikes. Therefore, there must be a forum that will surrender such collaboration to take place. III. Current Issue Analysis We live in communities that are increasingly becoming vulnerable to indwelling as well as manmake disasters that cause substantial loss of life, economic damage.Disaster = graphic or Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 6 manmade hazard + vulnerability. Risk = (hazard x vulnerability)/ expertness. Unfortunately, our communities are non well prepared to hand with such disasters when they come as a payoff of inadequate knowledge or an ability to mitigate and respond to the disaster in due time. As a result, many people drop their lives and properties or find themselves trapped in disaster high descry which they outhousenot escape without external intervention.Frequently when a disaster strikes, it forces vulnerable communities to temporarily or permanently evacuate the comfort of their homes, neighborhoods, workplace and institutions or confine themselves to their home, exit them without basic services such as water, gas, electricity, telephones or destiny help. club vulnerability to disaster can be elaborated better with the bellow (Khan, 2008) Figure 2. What is Disaster? Vulnerability Disaster Hazard Underlying Causes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.Limited rile to resources Illness and disability Age/Sex Poverty Other high-voltage Pressure Lack of 1. Institutional readiness 2. training/Skills 3. Population o ntogeny 4. Urbanization 5. Uncontrolled ontogeny 6. Environmental Degradation Unsafe Conditions 1. 2. 3. 4. sedate location Dangerous building Low income level Dangerous byplays (police, mines etc. ) Trigger Events 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Earthquake Tsunamis Floods Cyclones Volcanic -eruptions Drought Landslide War/ act of terrorism Technological Accident (Car/Plane etc. Environmental Pollution Disasters accounts for 98 percent of the cumulative number of people affected by natural disasters and 77 percent of total reported economic damage (WMO, 2007). In the least developing countries (LDC) in particular, climate-related disasters accounted for 89 percent of Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 7 the total economic damages (WMO, 2007). Most people in developing countries have circumscribed capacity to assess climate risks and lack available weather info required to plan adaptive responses.These people are more credibly to be severely affected by climate-related diseases, such as influenza, diarrhea, cholera, meningitis, dengue, and malaria. dim infrastructure, poor converse networks, shortage in electricity supply, low globe informedness, and insufficient resources in many communities and neighborhoods hinders the provision of timely climate and early warning advice, which can delays response efforts causing an impact to conk out of noteworthy amount (EM-DAT, 2009). IV.How I look at The Necessity of Youth Involvement Though disasters are local phenomenon, in these modern days their annihilating impact can be entangle beyond b set outs of impacted nations in terms of human, material losses or the flow of refugees. It is therefore consequential that the disaster decline efforts be addressed in a quadrilateral and comprehensive way. These unforeseen disasters require immediate, coordinated and strong response by multiple government agencies, volunteers, relief agencies and private sector in order to meet human needs and speed recovery efforts.Comprehensive disaster management and emergency preparedness should be based on the concept of brisk young peoples participation in all phases of the disaster cycle. Rather than seeing disaster-affected youth as victims or passive recipients of right(prenominal) assistance, satisfactory disaster management must recognize the value of including them in the planning process. There is no better resource in a community than young people. It may be easier to obtain funding for projects and related disaster preparedness programs, but without sufficient community resources in place, disaster preparedness and risk reduction are not possible.Resource building enhances Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 8 community capability and admits collateral response to dissimilar emergencies reduce disaster risks, and helps foster confidence, dignity, and resilience. It is a fact that when a disaster strikes, local people are the first to respond , before any other outside agencies arrives to and assist in recovery efforts. Many of these first responders who struggle to save lives with limited resources at their disposal before more help arrives to take assist are energetic young people.Sometimes local elders may know which members of their community are hardest hit, and what kind assistance is appropriate for them, but they will ask young people to give them help. Young people must therefore be implicated, trained and empowered to carryout disaster prevention, readiness, and planning and response efforts. V. Justification for Involving Young People a. Fostering a Sense of Local Ownership traditionally disaster management has been dominated by top-down relief efforts that espouse children and youth are passive victims with no role in disaster preparedness.Involving youth in disaster preparedness process not only benefits them, their families, and communities, but too confers to grassroots empowerment which boosts levels of ownership at heart their general disaster preparedness plan. Research has indicated that when young people receive preparedness training they are more likely to act wisely and nurse themselves against abuse exploitation and illegal drug trafficking (UNICEF, 2007). b.Fostering Youths great power to Act In life it is very hard to maintain a positive mindset when people have no faith in you. Youth are an enormous pool of energy, talent, and enthusiasm eager to contribute to society. The time has come whereby young peoples ability as agents of change must be recognized. There some preposterous abilities and skills that young people alone can bring to the table, such as Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 9 inter heathenish communication and innovative use of technology (ICRC, 2010).Many have made a distinction in their neighborhoods, schools and even at the national level by address safety issues and seek solution for the existing problems (NCPC, 2001). Youth possess unique strengths, which are enhanced by community support and collaboration. Given luck to as participants and not observers will to introduce them and get to be part disaster management agencies inwardly their local communities, across their borders and around the world. Compared to adult, many youth are trained in public speaking, ournalism, intercultural music and dance, communication, cultural harmony. Young people already have power of being linked through social networks such as MySpace, twitters, Facebook and they will use it interact in a very short time. Youth can shape advantageously their peers to be disaster ready. vainglorious mentors should work closely with youth in an effort to incorporate their ability and talent in disaster management process. c. Promoting Individuals Rights Although our social norms have such interoperablely portrayed young people as dependent and helpless victims in emergencies.In practice, however, the reverse often applies and yo uth commonly have far more options open to them than do adults. The notion that excluding young people from direct involvement in calamities helps protects their well-being and trauma that adult face is at a lower placemining their resilience and grapple in the scope of adversity. Around the globe young people have proven to be faster in responding and volunteering in relief efforts when disaster strikes (Perren-Klingler, 1996). Young people want to be part of the big ensure in making contribution that makes a difference and changing lives.It is the right of young people and children to be recognized and be interacted with as ennoble humans rather than treating them just as vulnerable and helpless disaster victims who are only objects of charity. They Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 10 should be encouraged to use their potential to become agents of change globally. Their ideas and energies can be put into good use. The idea of involving youth and encouragin g their participation in risk reduction measures is in line with transnational commitments which legally bind the signatory states to observe the rights of children and youth (Silbernagl, 2010).Like adults, young people besides have a right to participate in decisions and efforts to address disaster management and risk reduction within their communities. Their rights include being trained and supported in understanding and making positive contributions to matter that affect their livelihood. This is in line with articles 6, 12 and 13 of the international legal framework set under the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, which upholds childrens rights to (Plan, 2005). d. quick Experience Involving young people in disaster planning provides opportunities to appreciation beyond our traditional top-down relief efforts. This becomes a link that equips young people to take on new roles and become alert agents of change. Most jobs nowadays require applicants to have some experi ences which are technically not taught theoretically in college clear rooms. There must an employer who will be willing to offer an opportunity to on the job training. The inexperienced young people likewise need mentors in disaster preparedness process who are willing to work closely with them by involving them in alert roles that gives them hands-on experience to eventually fill-in the shoes of their adult mentors when they are no longer available for duty.Adult and youth can learn from apiece other. Blending experiences of adult to young people new ideas and innovations works better as playing flat (white) and sharp (black) keys on the piano. There will be always unquestionable wisdom, experience and knowledge which can Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 11 only be found from the adult (Old School). However, young people may also have skills such as foreign languages, technology that adults do not have, or are challenged in mastering.Adult mentors must ther efore pass-on the touch of qualities in their young mentee. If they can let go of their tight control, be patient, and trust the process, mentoring will become more effortless and enjoyable, and will be responding to recommendations from the research on resilience and on nurturing success stories. It is authoritative that mentors must attend they are making a difference in the lives of young people by creating inside-out social change. This is preparing future leaders, who are disaster resilient, compassionate, and job ready and good citizens.Thus, the united effort of young and old will result in strength, while diversity may only hinder the effort of the desired community resilience when disaster strikes. VI. Lesson Learned a. Previous Account of Youth Involvement The contributions young people have made in emergency response within their own communities are easily traced to such incidents as the Indonesia Tsunami of December 26, 2004. Consider the incredible story of Tilly Smith , an 11 year-old from England, vacationing with family when tsunami occurred. This proves how prior lesson she learned somewhat tsunamis in geography class was apply to save lives of many.When she noticed strange behavior of the sea on the morning of the tsunami, she convinced over 100 people to leave the brink before the struck minutes later (Randall, 2005). Another example involves a number of young people who actively participated in saving the lives of others, often times putting their own lives in jeopardy, until the international relief workers and emergency responders could arrive. These young people all over the affected region took action, dower to distribute aid, assisting with clean-up and rebuilding efforts, looking aft(prenominal) those younger than them, and using their creativity to letRunning Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 12 others know about the devastation (ISDR, 2005). During this stressful disaster, a call went out in the Maldives Whoever can help, please come. Each volunteer was given an age-appropriate task. Many adults stayed away but the young people came forward. When a psychosocial counselor was sent to trim back on possible problems with young people, she couldnt find anyone. They were all functional, she tell (UNICEF, 2007). Another example of youth involvement in a disaster comes from hurricane Katrina.Hurricane Katrina which made landfall on August 29, 2005 and resulted in death of over 1,000 citizens and caused more or less 80 percent of flooding to the city of New Orleans within 18 hours (U. S. White House, 2006). Shortly after the disaster occurred, a grouping of young people for the Vietnamese American Association of Louisiana took an active role in assisting the Vietnamese community with evacuation, relief and recovery efforts (Leong, 2006). They were also able to translate schooling from formal English sources (i. e. FEMA and American exit Cross) to their non-English speaking family members in or der to pass on important messages such as the location of evacuation safe places, relief supplies and forage scattering centers, and registration for FEMA assistance. During the recovery period, these young people were instrumental in boosting morale among the younger children and bringing attention to other risks affecting their community. Plan International has mobilized children and youth in El Salvador, Central America, to play a world-shattering role in environmental resources management and disaster risk reduction.The children and youth have worked with their communities in developing risk maps, designing community emergency plans, setting up early warning systems, and implementing response, mitigation and risk reduction plans, among other activities. Plan Internationals experience in El Salvador has already been replicated in other Central American countries (UNISDR, 2007). Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster b. What has been done to Address Youth Involvement? Akey o, S. 13 There some few steps done by various disaster management organizations that are epochal initiatives in addressing youth involvement in disaster management.One bureau that involves youth in local community disaster and emergency preparedness is the U. S. Federal tinge Management agency (FEMA) which is tasked with planning. This agency provides an in-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness course on its website (FEMA, 2009). Another major provider of disaster management worldwide is the International Red Cross- Red Crescent Society. This agency is active in mobilizing youth to take active part in disaster situation to help their neighbors across their own streets, across the country, and across the world each year.In developing countries, evidence of youth platforms that address disaster management is taking place. On October 27-29, 2010 in the eastern African country of Kenya, youth held a national wide youth convention to campaign for disaster management initiatives. This conference held in the city of Nairobi was an example active platform that were held to mobilize and build capacity of youth and prepared them to respond to climate change and environmental degradation.Conference participants exhibit that it was a perfect opportunity that was used well by the organizers to include youth in disaster management and decision making process in the effort to address climate change at local, national, regional, and Continental level (Tuwei, 2010). In country of Uganda, youths have appealed to decision makers to involve them, at all levels, in the effort to address the climate change under the theme, Time for Action. Director and Head of the Youth Affairs social class at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Dr.Fatiha Serour said, International Youth Day gives the world an opportunity to recognize the potential of youth and celebrate their achievements (Kigonya, 2010). In the Caribbean, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Running Head Yout h Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 14 must be commended for introducing and involving 16 member countries for youth disaster management activities during their annual Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Conference in 2009.This initiative of CDEMA will promote youth involvement in various communities they represent and the overall disaster management development in that region. Likewise, Pan International mobilized youth in El-Salvador to play a significant role in environmental resources management and disaster risk reduction (DRR). This initiative is currently benefiting their community through a joint taskforce of youth-adult in developing risk maps, designing community emergency plans, setting up early warning systems, and implementing response, mitigation, and risk reduction plans, among other activities (Plan International, 2007).In 2010, Plan International facilitated 54 focus groups across Haiti, where young people had the opportunity to prove the impact of the earthqua ke on their individual lives, and what they needed most in the recovery process and to share their hopes and dreams for the future of their country. It is reported that the youth were wild to be involved in the rebuilding of their country, and wanted to take part in the work being set out towards a comfortable future for Haiti (PLAN, 2010).Lastly, the 2007 national meeting on Policy Advocacy for Enhancing Community Resilience to Natural Disasters Focusing on Children and Youth held in Jakarta, Indonesia was held to address the importance of involving young people in the disaster management process (UN-ESCAP, 2007). VII. Recommendation for Good Practices A study done by the Adventist evolution and Relief Agency (ADRA) suggested that social capital was the predictor of more effective human functioning, stronger institutions and community resilience (Diaz, 2008).Furthermore, strengthening individual, community and private sectors in disaster preparedness has both and strategic value (Flynn, 2010). Therefore, Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 15 good practices that can help include young people in the emergency management process can be successfully achieved by following these recommendations 1. Education and Information Sharing Generally, young people are not aware of what emergency response leaders and relief agencies may expect them to do or know when a disaster occurs. Such information is critical to successful emergency preparation and disaster response and recovery efforts.Information sharing is a principal component of an effective emergency management dodging to help a community improve its level of preparedness, response capabilities, and resilience. Youth forums, conferences and workshop are the best example of information sharing. Participants can pass relevant information to their peers, by sharing of knowledge or information and training obtained. Relevant information shared with young people on disaster risks will unify communi ties and promote a culture of disaster readiness and collaboration at all levels that include disaster experts, responders and other stakeholders (ISDR, 2005).However, all information collected must be analyzed for accuracy, legitimacy and urgency before incriminated to the targeted individuals. Local communities should provide disaster and emergency preparation and response training programs to all citizens especially youth designed community training programs promote citizens to take personal responsibility in preparing for and responding to a disaster. Sufficient staff should be trained in working with youth and children so that they may understand and recognize the importance of their participation in disaster response, relief and recovery efforts.Disaster training for children and youth should include age-appropriate lessons in preparing for emergencies, response behaviors, CPR and basic first aid, water safety, and basic child administer. Educational leaders can develop scho ol-based curriculums that address these topics. Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 16 Furthermore, NGOs and church-based organizations can also be used to help provide disaster preparedness training to young people as well. Training youth and children in disaster preparedness activities before an emergency occurs helps them to survive and provide assistance to others. . Tabletop and Drill Exercises Planning is the key Necessity of planning can be illustrated by the famous a story of four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was invited to do it. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Infact, Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybodys job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that. Everybody wouldnt do it.It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done (Unknown Author). The tabletop exercise is essentially a group brainstorming session centered on a scenario narrative and problem statements or messages that are presented to key players in emergency response. Tabletop exercise can be utilized to increase youth awareness of risks that surround them, (Strength, weaknesses and Opportunity and Threats) and how they can better prepared to deal with them before disaster happens.This will help not only the young people but also the emergency coordinators in examining response capabilities, and esteem coordination with other agencies e. g. Law enforcement, emergency responders, establish closer working relationships and within local and outside coordination. Tabletop exercise can also be used to acquaint the young people on the policies, procedures, roles, communication and responsibilities before, during, or after the simulated event. Youth mentors must work with the youth to decide whether do a full-scale exercise that involves local first responders and professional moderators or just aRunning Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 17 simple affair conducted by in-house disaster planners and youth in training. The scenario can also be discussed on how much gloom and doom you want your tabletop exercise should look like (i. e. Involving injured people, property destruction etc. ). This will help both the adult and their mentee to test how quickly they can pull together key players. This exercise process will provide a less stressful, more time effective method when the true emergency happens. 3.Supporting Youth Programs Every community, emergency managers and responders should work with new as well as existing youth organizations to address the local issues, concerns and project for success. If community has several youth groups, it can be helpful to mete out each on with specific roles and responsibilities which will make them expert in their trained response role. Emergency personnel must develop such caring relationship s not only between adultyoung people but also between youth-youth, emergency responder-emergency responder, and emergency personnel-community.Teachers and mentor should reflect personally on their beliefs about resilience, and also, as a staff, exchange experiences-both personal and literary- about overcoming the betting odds (Resiliency In Action, Inc. , 2007). Such relationship and opportunities for active youth involvement exquisite group process, cooperative learning, peer helping, cross-age mentoring, and community service makes participants feel to operate to a family, a home, a community. 4. Youth Direct Involvement a. Service-learning Experience i. Being Disaster ReadyIt is very important to know that, if one cannot take care of them self, it will be impossible to take care of others. Youth can be given individual training that will help them be Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 18 mentally and emotionally prepared to act promptly and to develop in them the ability to take care for themselves, and applying practical survival skills as needed. Individual training must include being informed of disasters that are most likely to occur in their community, be helped to develop and practice their response plan and get survival kits.In most situations, disasters impact is felt by the whole family. Youth can be trained on how to they can be involved in their own familys emergency plan. Youth must know how to work as a team up of their respective families in learning basic emergency skills and how to react when go about with fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, explosions, warning signals, fallout protection, terrorism attacks, and other emergency situations. ii. Community Service Youth can be trained according to their capabilities to take active role in the community response plan.Such activities as, volunteering to provide health care and first aid services in reception centers, homeless shelters, food bank, care for elderly in nursin g homes, helping at backup centers or child care facilities, can be good experiences for the youth. They can also be involved in evacuation of casualty from the stroke of the event, transportation of ill, injured, infirm to reception or medical facilities. Service-learning experiences engage young responders in the educational process, using what they learn in the classroom to exercise real-disaster scenarios.Such a practice will promote confidence and experience in their over role performances and in adherence procedures and policy. By rendering disaster management services to the community, youth will eventually improve skills required for civic action leadership, communication, decision-making, problem solving, teamwork, relationship building, planning and organizing, concern for others. They also increase their knowledge about their communities and gain confidence, interest andRunning Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 19 motivation and in working for their communi ties. Moreover, young people engaged in disaster management activities gain skills in leadership, problem solving. b. Ongoing Research Study Disaster management is an applied science that needs constant scientific research, theory test and updates. Young research should be identified and be involved in meaningful research design and implementation of research roles especially in issues that affect their lives.They should be empowered to collect data and report on information to raise awareness of a problem and/or promote for change in the condition underlying the community need (for example, youth analyze a communitys emergency preparedness plan and offer suggestions for how to improve the plan). This learning opportunity will enable young researcher to provide their insights, talents and perspectives in their own environment, appropriate to their level of development and expertise. For better results, emergency managers must therefore partner ith these young researchers, students as well as other professionals worldwide across multiple disciplinary perspectives of emergency management to develop and promote solutions that bridge the theoretical and practical applications of comprehensive emergency management. A wellintegrated youth-adult research study will lead to innovative tools and applications that empower the local, national and international communities, create a context for partnerships, and generate research findings that can be used for future disaster management interventions and improvements in ongoing practices. VIII. ConclusionThis initiative to involve youth and to promote youth affaire is not an easy task. While youth have historically been recipients of basic personal safety education in emergency preparedness, they have not been included in community wide preparedness activities. However, that may be changing. Ever rising emergencies and disasters are a creation that all must face Running Head Youth Involvement in Disaster Akeyo, S. 20 together. It is important to recognize that youth engagement initiatives, collaboration and partnerships in disaster management have multiple payoffs that save lives and promotes resilience in difficult times.Moreover, involving young people who are involved in disaster preparedness will bring a basal change in society. The youth of today will become leaders and parents of tomorrow, which will ensure that they pass this knowledge to their children. Making disaster preparedness a societal practice can as a result be passed on from generation to generation. Youth involvement in disaster management will therefore succeed only if they are given. Adult mentor may run up against complex, messy, and difficult problems while model the youth. Sometimes they may even be discouraged and give up the task.Likewise, the young may think the older mentors ideas or approaches are not proper and primitive which may result into conflicts. The truth is, every good outcome requires hard work, a sustai ned commitment to working as a team, and a willingness to listen and learn from each other. Developing trust relationships between young people and adults does not happen overnight but with sustained engagement and guidance, young and old can work bring up by shoulder to prepare and respond to disaster when it happens (Pearson, 2010). R