Naparima Girls’ High School wishes to congratulate Julianna Martin of Lower 6 on her monumental achievement and participation in the International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and UNICEF World Forum 2021. Julianna started her journey by participating in a workshop/ focus group with the IFRC in March 2021. Students from the Bahamas, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago shared their experiences and concerns. Approximately 22 Red Cross club members from our school participated in this study. The IFRC sought to analyze the effects of climate-related disasters upon children in the Caribbean.
In November 2021, the IFRC launched a report from the study entitled, “We Need to Do Better: Climate-Related Disasters, Child Protection and Localizing Action in the Caribbean.” A brave and articulate Julianna was invited to speak at the international launch of the report. She highlighted some of the effects of climate-related disasters upon children such as; child abuse, exploitation and mental health challenges.
Due to the overwhelming appreciation for Julianna’s speech at the IFRC’s launch, she was selected to speak at a virtual Community Session at the UNICEF Global Forum on Children and Youth hosted by the IFRC on December 7th, 2021. She urged international organizations to be a catalyst for change. In a powerful presentation, Julianna stated, “As a Red Cross youth member living in the Caribbean, I believe that we can do better and implement policies to protect our children from the harmful effects and impacts of climate-related disasters. How many more children must suffer or die as a result of a lack of action? The time is now! The IFRC is championing the cause! Let us join in unity to provide the platform for awareness and change.”
Julianna is a 17-year-old Lower Six student at our school. She has been an enrolled youth cadet of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society for the past 5 years. She currently serves as the Secretary of the NGHS Red Cross Club under the leadership of Cadet Officer and Patron teacher, Ms. Fariah Hyatali. We wish Julianna all the best in her future endeavors as she continues to be a youth advocate.
Please see the link for a copy of the IFRC report:
https://www.ifrc.org/press-release/we-need-do-better-ifrc-report-reveals-gaps-child-protection-during-climate-related
