BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Young people from across Barbados have urged policymakers and international partners to channel more financing into disaster resilience, rather than response, during the National Youth Platform marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).
Held under the global theme “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” the forum brought together youth leaders, government officials, and representatives of the United Nations and development partners to spotlight the urgent need for greater investment in measures that protect communities from climate and disaster risks.
Speakers emphasized that while young people are among the most affected by disasters, they are also vital contributors to national resilience efforts.
Captain Robert Harewood, Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management, said youth engagement is critical to Barbados’ disaster preparedness. “Involving young people in national resilience planning ensures a safer, more sustainable future for all,” he said.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Simon Springett echoed the call for intergenerational collaboration, stressing that youth priorities must be integrated into policy and financing decisions. “No single entity can tackle these challenges alone,” he said. “Strengthening our collective response is essential, and this National Youth Platform is a step in that direction.”
Saskia Carusi, Deputy Chief of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction for the Americas and the Caribbean, noted that disasters are becoming more destructive due in part to “risk-blind investments” that heighten vulnerability. She underscored the need for more innovative, risk-informed financing to reduce future losses.
Delivering the government’s keynote address, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams said that investing in resilience is not a cost but a safeguard.
“Every dollar spent on resilience saves many more in recovery,” he said. “For Small Island Developing States like Barbados, shifting from reaction to prevention is not optional — it is the difference between vulnerability and viability.”
A youth-led panel discussion explored how innovation, partnerships, and financing can drive resilience across the Caribbean. UNICEF Youth Advocate for the Environment Maria Marshall called for young people to be recognized as “powerful agents of change,” noting that their ideas and local knowledge can strengthen community preparedness.
The event also featured the launch of the World Tsunami Awareness Day 2025 Film Festival, set for November, which aims to raise awareness about tsunami hazards in the Caribbean through film and community engagement.
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