Disasters are a critical threat to positive child development and they are increasing in severity and frequency.
JVT supports work to improve the systems in place to mitigate the effects of disasters on children and young people.
We commissioned the Thriving Kids in Disaster (TKiD) report to examine how well we support and prepare kids for disasters, with a focus on Queensland.
The report found that the needs of children and young people in disasters are often inadvertently overlooked – despite the best intentions of all parties.
It also found that we can minimise long-term impact and trauma for kids if we consider them as distinct and unique stakeholders in the planning for all aspects of disaster management.
Worldwide, kids are recognised as the population group most at risk during disasters.
A child born in Australia in 2020 will experience four times as many heat waves, three times as many droughts and 1.5 times as many bushfires as those born in 1960.
Of all Australian states and territories, Queensland is the most prone to disasters, having experienced over 100 significant events since 2011.
Kids in rural and regional areas are up to eight times more likely to experience a natural disaster than their city counterparts. In remote areas it is up to 16 times.
Thriving Kids in Disasters (TKiD) is an initiative of the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership’s Country Collaborative and The John Villiers Trust. TKiD has brought together stakeholders to uplift the Queensland Disaster Management (DM) system to better support Queensland kids.
TKiD Phase 1 examined how current disaster management (DM) arrangements in Queensland could better support the resilience and wellbeing of children and young people and made recommendations to address these gaps.
TKiD Phase 2 (underway now) focuses on building partnerships and an action plan to respond to the recommendations of the Phase 1 report.
Phase 2 Webinar series
Three Thriving Kids in Disasters webinars have been held to share well informed, practical ways to support and engage children, young people and their caregivers around climate change and mental health, and disaster risk reduction.
The sessions were designed to put into practice evidence and recommendations from the Thriving Queensland Kids in Disasters report.
FUNDERS AND PHILANTHROPISTS: Are you interested in tangible projects that will improve the disaster management system for children and young people?
Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership Convenor Michael Hogan and JVT CEO Lea-Anne Bradley held a briefing in October 2024 about how Thriving Kids in Disasters is progressing with action planning in response to the findings from the recently released TKiD report.
A recording of the session is available on request. We expect to be releasing an Action Plan in early 2025, so let us know if you want to be informed of progress and invited to the next funder briefing. Contact us at [email protected]
Beyond the urgent response in a crisis, there are many opportunities for us to reduce trauma and support the resilience and wellbeing of children and young people. Some of the resources identified to help with this (so far) are listed below.
Resources for families and carers
Resources for the community
Emerging Minds – Supporting infants and children in disasters: A practice guide
Resources for children and young people
Disasters in the media
More?
If you are aware of further resources that are helpful, please let us know, contact: [email protected].
Disasters present a key threat to every child’s right to life and development, making it essential that kids are recognised as distinct and unique stakeholders in disaster management.