THE inclusion of children and young people in disaster risk reduction (DRR) not only safeguards them but also strengthens the resilience of entire communities by harnessing their energy, ideas and leadership abilities. As we celebrate October as National Indigenous Peoples' Month, I want to focus on Verly Bello Viñas, a remarkable Teduray youth leader from South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur. Verly is an inspiring Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or youth council) chairman and a champion of DRR initiatives.

This month, Verly will represent Filipino youth at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference (APMC) on DRR in Manila. The event, organized by the Philippine government, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and other development partners, monitors regional implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR (2015–2030), a global effort aimed at reducing disaster risks and bolstering national resilience.