How youth builds flood resilience – projects from Colombia and South Africa

The year 2024 has been marked by catastrophic floods worldwide. In the face of such disasters, the lack of proper preparation and systems to mitigate the effects of heavy rains is often revealed. However, there is good news – youth from Africa and South America are engaging in innovative projects aimed at increasing flood resilience. These initiatives provide great inspiration for local communities in other countries.

Youth fights for their future

In 2001, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) launched a program to promote the concept of integrated flood management worldwide. For over two decades, projects have been implemented under this initiative to reduce the catastrophic impacts of floods, including the reduction of fatalities, property damage, and environmental degradation. Each year, a competition is also held to select the best projects led by youth from around the world in building local flood resilience. The latest edition recognized two winning projects – from South Africa and Colombia.

Water from the rock – South Africa

Although Africa is particularly plagued by droughts, it also experiences torrential rains leading to humanitarian disasters. According to the WMO’s 2023 Global Water Resources report, 11,000 people died as a result of the collapse of two dams in Libya. In other countries, the death toll exceeded 1,600 last year.

In response to these threats, a group of students from the University of Pretoria in South Africa developed the “Water from the Rock” initiative, which focuses on raising awareness and improving flood preparedness among young people. The YouthMappers group’s project also involves identifying the most vulnerable communities and developing a mobile app that warns residents of approaching disasters.

The award-winning project created:

• Information packages for young people containing flood response protocols and useful contacts;
• Flood risk scenarios caused by various weather anomalies;
• A prototype of a mobile app that sends alerts in specific areas.

YouthMappers plans to continue supporting local flood resilience, including expanding the notification system to other high-risk areas in South Africa. The goal is to better prepare local citizens for future disasters.

Collaborative mapping for flood resilience – Colombia

Youth in Medellín, the capital of the mountainous Antioquia region in Colombia, took a slightly different approach. The Iguaná stream basin covers an area of 50 km² and has been prone to regular flooding for over 150 years. Since the 1980s, the frequency of these floods has increased, resulting in infrastructure damage, evacuations, and even fatalities.

As part of the project, youth from Medellín conducted a series of workshops with residents of flood-prone areas. These workshops included the collection of cartographic data and training on the use of mobile maps. As a result, high-risk zones, critical infrastructure, and drainage and flood mitigation needs were identified.

The initiative significantly strengthens local flood resilience, creating a solid foundation for more effective flood risk management. Additionally, it has fostered closer cooperation between public authorities and residents, facilitating future actions in the face of potential disasters. The information gathered through the project has been integrated into Medellín’s early warning system, further enhancing the effectiveness of preventive measures and crisis response.

Huge potential, great needs

The World Meteorological Organization emphasized that both awarded projects demonstrate the tremendous potential of young people in addressing environmental challenges. However, to truly strengthen flood resilience in the long term, WMO believes that it is necessary to equip youth with the right technologies and financial resources, as well as build broader organizational partnerships where the voices of young people will be heard.