National Youth Camp & 60th anniversary of Kuching Red Crescent Cadet Unit (18-21 September 2024)
The Kuching High School Red Crescent hosted MRC’s very first National Youth Camp in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Kuching Red Crescent Cadet Unit from September 18 to 21, 2024, bringing together cadet members from secondary schools across Malaysia. The camp aims to promote unity among the diverse races, cultures, and religions of the country, in line with the principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement. In the span of four days, participants were given the platform to showcase their talents in creativity, self-management, leadership, discipline, survival skills, and other humanitarian values.
SAFE STEPS KIDS
In response to the increasing challenges posed by natural disasters and road safety issues in Malaysia, the Malaysian Red Crescent is taking proactive steps to ensure the preparedness and resilience of young people. Central to this initiative is the integration of the SAFE STEPS Kids (SSK) program into their school safety efforts for 2023. By providing essential life-saving information and practical guidance, the SSK program aims to empower students to navigate critical situations effectively, fostering a culture of safety and preparedness among the next generation.
The “SAFE STEPS Kids Carnival,” organized by the Malaysian Red Crescent Youth, is an interactive event aimed at promoting safety and preparedness among school children across Malaysia. The carnival will feature booths focused on thematic areas such as disaster preparedness, first aid, road safety, hygiene promotion, stress management, and climate change. Students will engage in hands-on activities and games at each booth, earning stamps that can be exchanged for gifts. By empowering youth to lead the event, the project seeks to create an engaging platform that enhances students’ knowledge and skills in safety, fostering a culture of preparedness and equipping them with valuable life-saving information.
The SSK program was successfully concluded in 6 states in Malaysia, which includes Sarawak (20-22 June 2023), Sabah (22-23 February 2024), Kelantan (20-22 April 2024), Kuala Lumpur (20-24 June 2024), Johor Bahru and Kedah (5 & 6 October 2024) engaging over 2140 students from 89 schools including children from migrant communities, with the participation of 179 facilitators from various educational institutions.
YOUTH IN SCHOOL SAFETY (YSS)
The Youth in School Safety (YSS) module empowers students, Red Cross and Red Crescent Youth (RCY), teachers, and parents by enhancing their roles in school safety. It provides essential knowledge and skills in School-Based Risk Reduction (SBRR) through a participant-centered, experiential learning approach that emphasizes identifying local risks and developing creative solutions via interactive activities like games and role-plays.
Targeting school children, teachers, parents, and youth practitioners from Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the YSS guide complements previous initiatives, promoting proactive mindsets toward school safety. It encourages the involvement of RCY clubs and junior members in programs that enhance their skills and knowledge.
In 2023, the YSS module was implemented in Kg. Bahagia, Kelantan, to promote disaster risk reduction in local schools. The initiative aimed to raise awareness of safety strategies and foster behavioral changes, creating a sustainable culture of safety and resilience within the community.
CLIMATE CHANGE FORUM
The Climate Change Forum 2024, set for February 8, 2024, aims to tackle Malaysia’s pressing climate challenges by bringing together 100-150 participants, including government agencies, NGOs, and youth organizations. This event will focus on recent research findings related to the nation’s climate vulnerabilities and explore collaborative strategies for resilience. With youth actively involved, the forum will empower the next generation to contribute innovative solutions and engage in discussions on climate adaptation and mitigation.
Key outcomes will include the identification of collaborative strategies among stakeholders, policy recommendations for integrating climate considerations into future planning, and the establishment of partnerships for ongoing initiatives. By enhancing public awareness and fostering youth engagement, the forum seeks to create a more informed and proactive community ready to address the impacts of climate change in Malaysia.
