Global Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action

At the World Humanitarian Summit, more than 20 humanitarian partners -governments, NGOs and UN agencies— endorsed a new Global Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action. The commitment responds to the need, and demand by young men and women, to put in place mechanisms to guarantee that the priorities and participation of young people are addressed by the humanitarian system. The Secretary-General’s Agenda for Humanity recognizes that protecting the rights and addressing the specific needs of young people, and engaging them in humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery is vital to humanitarian effectiveness and risk reduction. This Special Session brought together global leaders of all ages to respond to the United Nations Secretary General’s call and endorse a historic Global Compact for Young People and Humanitarian Action to guide long-term commitment to 5 key actions: Action 1: Promote inclusive programmes that contribute to the protection, health and development of young women, young men, girls and boys within humanitarian settings. Action 2: Support systematic engagement and partnership with youth, in all phases of humanitarian action through sharing of information and involvement in decision-making processes at all levels, including budget allocations. Action 3: Recognize and strengthen young people’s capacities to be effective humanitarian actors, and empower and support local youth-led initiatives and organizations in humanitarian response, such as those targeting affected youth, including young refugees and internally displaced persons living in informal urban settlements and slums. Action 4: Increase resources to address the needs and priorities of adolescents and youth affected by humanitarian crises, and identify ways to more accurately track and report on the resources allocated to young people in humanitarian contexts. Action 5: Ensure the generation and use of age- and sex- disaggregated data pertaining to adolescents and youth in humanitarian settings.