New guidelines put youth at the forefront of humanitarian response

New guidelines published by the UN and partners aim to put young people at the forefront of humanitarian action.

The document is the first of its kind and has been described as the ‘go-to’ guide for working with, and for, young people in natural disasters, conflict, forced displacement, and other emergencies.

“Too often the energy and talents of young people are squandered when crises hit, and the guidelines that we’re publishing today will help prevent that from happening,” said UN humanitarian affairs chief Mark Lowcock, speaking during the virtual launch.

Trust young people

The guidelines were issued by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), which brings together the heads of 18 UN and non-UN entities working to ensure better preparation for, and coherent response to, humanitarian crises.

They were developed in collaboration with young people, in line with commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) led the task force that resulted in their creation.

“These new guidelines call upon us to give away power; to trust young people and to work with them as partners by giving them safe space to meet and discuss their ideas on how they can improve life in their own communities,” said Henrietta Fore, the UNICEF Executive Director.

At the same time, she added, young people affected by humanitarian crises are looking to the international community to invest in their future.

“Many are forced to drop out of school. They lack access to basic health and nutrition services. They lose their safety nets, leaving them vulnerable to abuse, child marriage, and child labour,” Ms. Fore said.