Helping Young Jamaicans Prepare Their Communities for Disasters

The Caribbean is one of the most disaster-prone regions of the world. Tropical storms, earthquakes and volcanoes constantly threaten its communities, especially those that lack the resources to prepare and recover. Year after year, natural disasters threaten to erase residents’ hard- earned progress.
The islands are also home to large populations of young people who lack jobs and opportunities. Many youths become involved in the crime and violence that plague their neighborhoods. Each time a natural disaster strikes, communities become more vulnerable, and opportunities further diminish for young people.
But what if the energy and creativity of at-risk youth could be channeled toward preparing their communities for disasters?
In some of the toughest neighborhoods of Kingston, Jamaica, the St. Patrick’s Rangers, with support from Catholic Relief Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, are discovering their potential and proving that young people can play a key role in reducing disaster risk.