Inclusive DRR for hyper-marginalised children and youth

All children and young people need to be considered disaster risk reduction policy and it’s right that children and youth all feature so prominently within the Sendai Framework, Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreements. However, within this broader section of our society, vulnerability and risk aren't equally distributed. Research on disaster preparedness, response, and resilience highlights a critical gap in addressing the needs of hyper-marginalised groups, particularly children and youth within those groups.

This briefing note highlights that ensuring disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies are inclusive of hyper-marginalised children and youth is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for building truly resilient societies. By addressing the specific vulnerabilities of groups such as unhoused youth, LGBTQIA+ youth, and child labourers, and by incorporating intersectional approaches, policymakers can move beyond one-size-fits all solutions to foster a DRR framework that leaves no one behind.