8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Roundtable “Safe Schools Now”

Excellencies,

My Delegation welcomes the organization of this roundtable discussion on the devastating impact of natural disasters on the lives of children, both today and in the years to come.

The Holy See is deeply concerned that around one billion children[1] worldwide are at risk of disasters, which can have dire consequences in the short and the long term. These consequences include severe disruption to access to nutrition, healthcare, and schooling.

Amidst this bleak backdrop, the Holy See would like to highlight the importance of schools in three key areas.

Firstly, as seedbeds of prevention, schools play a vital role in promoting a better understanding of, and preparedness for, disaster risks. Many Catholic schools actively provide educational resources and organize awareness-raising initiatives. One example is the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, which has introduced compulsory disaster preparedness programmes for children, parents, teachers and the wider community.[2]

Secondly, as gardens of responsibility, schools serve as a unique venue for advancing education in environmental stewardship and encouraging behaviours that directly and significantly impact the creation, entrusted by God to human care.[3] “Good education plants seeds when we are young, and these continue to bear fruit throughout life.”[4]

Thirdly, schools represent strategic hubs where people converge to find support and resources  in the aftermath of a disaster. Catholic institutions often play a crucial – and sometimes irreplaceable – role in disaster response by providing essential services such as food, water, shelter, and medicine to affected individuals and communities. For instance, following hurricane Helene in October 2024, a Catholic school in North Carolina became a major distribution center for vital relief supplies.[5] Many schools played the same role in Central America during the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Beyond addressing material needs, Catholic schools have also provided spiritual care and support. Any true evaluation of the “damage” inflicted by natural disasters must also take into account “the ‘interior damage’, the suffering of those who have lost their dear ones and have seen the sacrifices of an entire life swept away.”[6]

In conclusion, as the largest non-state provider of education globally, the Catholic Church is committed to shaping minds and creating safe and compassionate schools where every child can flourish in dignity, resilience, and hope.

Thank you.