A group of teenagers in Oras, Eastern Samar, Philippines have thought of a new way to disseminate information on disaster risk reduction through mobile phones, reports Devex. A week before Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in that part of the nation, 15-year-old Mark Patrick gathered his so-called 'tester clan' to discuss their plan of action to help inform people in their area on how to prepare for the coming disaster.
Mark is one of many youth in action. Of having been exposed to flooding, landslides and typhoons from a young age, he told Devex, “So … I started joining organizations, such as our barangay children’s association and other activities spearheaded by Plan International”, referring to the aid group that provides them with training and helps build their capacity as a community organization.