High Crowded

This manual presents the results of the work carried out within the CUIDAR project (Horizon 2020), focused on promoting a disaster resilience culture that actively includes children and adolescents. The manual documents activities conducted in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and the United Kingdom, showing how young people are not only vulnerable subjects but can also become key actors in disaster prevention, preparedness, and response.

This handbook is a practical tool designed to help educators in Malta teach children and adolescents about disaster preparedness—especially earthquakes—through engaging, inclusive, and age-appropriate activities. Based on the Feel Safe methodology developed by Save the Children Italy, it offers a structured learning pathway (Explore–Experience–Participate), ready-to-use exercises, and guidance on addressing both the technical and emotional dimensions of emergencies.

Feel Safe VR Experience is an immersive educational project by Save the Children Italia that uses virtual reality to teach children and adolescents how to respond safely to emergencies. Through interactive simulations of earthquakes, floods, and wildfires, participants develop practical safety skills, resilience, and awareness. The project emphasizes participation, inclusivity, and engagement to foster responsible young citizens.

This manual represents a practical and concrete support to all operators working in emergency settings in carrying out educational activities with children and adolescents in emergency situations.

Due to its sudden nature, an emergency disrupts and significantly alters the daily life and linearity of educational interventions. It is therefore crucial to restore routine and the psycho-physical well-being of the children involved.

In emergency situations, the rights of children and adolescents risk being violated, ignored, or underestimated due to the need to intervene quickly on aspects related to primary needs. Based on experience gained internationally and in national emergency contexts, Save the Children Italia offers practical recommendations to ensure safety, educational continuity, psychological support, and child participation, emphasizing respect for children’s rights and strengthening community resilience.

Integrating people with disabilities into risk and disaster management.

Guiding schools to assess hazards, reduce risks, and co-design SOPs 

Supporting communities and ecosystems in disaster recovery and resilience

Providing planning resources, guidance, and strategies for community resilience.

Platform centralising resources, exercises, and emergency preparedness support