Resilient Livelihoods Supporting Youth and Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation St. Vincent and the Grenadines padf.org/resilient-livelihoods
Overview Climate change is creating new hazards and increasing disaster risk in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Natural disasters and climate change expose populations to greater social, environmental, and economic vulnerability that threaten livelihoods and the sustainable achievement of development goals. Youth, who are frequently among the most marginalized members of society, will be exposed to the greatest climatic change over their lifetime. To address these challenges, PADF is implementing a project that supports youth and links climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) with the common goal of securing livelihoods. By reducing risks associated with climate change and natural hazards in SVG, we are creating more resilient communities. The Resilient Livelihoods Program empowers youth with knowledge, skills and resources to reduce risk in their lives, their communities, and their workplace. The project utilizes a custom curriculum and skills training program, in which youth learn about climate change and disaster risk, as well as how to prepare for them and cope with their effects. Youth become certified in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Fire Safety. They serve as community leaders in risk assessment and mitigation strategies, and gain work experience to institutionalize their new education and training in disaster management. Outcomes include enhanced leadership, communication, organization, riskevaluation, and capacity to protect oneself and help others. This builds community resiliency, but also contributes to positive youth development and meaningful employment. The program focuses in three geographic areas—Georgetown, Bequia, and Cumberland Valley—which have high social, environmental, and economic vulnerability.