Young people are uniquely impacted by disasters, often affecting work, study, and the critical resources like phone reception, internet and roads which keep young people connected to their communities.
Find out more about how young people are affected by different disasters below, and resources we have developed to ensure you include and engage young people effectively and meaningfully in disaster response.
Bushfires
Our work on bushfires was informed by the YACVic Youth Bushfire Recovery Working Group, consisting of 12 young people aged 12-25, living in rural and regional communities in eastern Victoria impacted by the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.
Resource: A Seat at the Table
A Seat at the Table: Young People and Disaster Recovery is a guide to meaningful Youth Engagement, Participation, and Inclusion. The resource covers all aspects of youth engagement in disaster response, and includes three double-sided A4 fact-sheets which can be printed and shared.
Download Fact Sheet: Engaging, Including and Consulting with Young People
Download Fact Sheet: Opportunities for Young People in Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery
Download Fact Sheet: Including Young People in Committees and Governance
You can request a printed copy of the resources here by emailing YACVic Rural Youth Projects Co-ordinator, Carla Hall chall@yacvic.org.au with your name, organisation and mailing address.
Project Report: Speaking Up
Speaking Up: Young people’s experience of Bushfire and Recovery is the report produced in partnership with the Victorian Government’s Department of Education and Training and Bushfire Recovery Victoria. We consulted and supported young people and community members to document their experience of disaster recovery and response to the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.
Read the first Emerging Themes Report from those consultations here
Read the second Emerging Themes Report from those consultations here
Rural Young Activators 2020/21
The 2020-21 Rural Young Activators are young people aged 15-25 from bushfire-affected communities leading projects and advocacy to support bushfire recovery and animal welfare with support from RSPCA Victoria.
Learn more about Activators here
Bushfire resources for Victorians with disability
The disabled community can be particularly vulnerable during bushfires due to a lack of accessible information, emergency housing, vital equipment and many other factors. The Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) produced this resource to support all Victorians, including young people with disability.
Youth Focused Disaster Recovery Protocol
The Protocol establishes a framework for Federal, State and Local Government emergency and recovery services and committees, institutions, local youth services, youth workers and others who engage with young people in disaster affected areas. It provides guidance on key matters for consideration and inclusion of young people in post-disaster recovery and rebuilding, and to ensure positive outcomes for young people aged 12-25 who have been affected directly and/or indirectly by a disaster.
Read the Youth Focused Disaster Recovery Protocol here
COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed everyone’s lives, including young people in disaster-affected communities. There are resources for young people, youth workers and policy-makers to ensure young people aren’t left behind in the pandemic response.
- Self care and community care
- COVID-Safe Youth Work
- Disability in the time of COVID-19
- COVID-19 Recovery Plan for Young People
- COVID-19 Vaccines and Young People
Webinars
VCOSS Disaster Recovery Conversation series: Facilitating the voice of children and young people in disaster recovery.
Contact Us
For any queries, please get in touch with YACVic Rural Youth Projects Co-ordinator, Carla Hall chall@yacvic.org.au