The role of youngsters in raising awareness on natural disasters has been ignored. Addressing a conference,Head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Vahid Ghobadi said 50% of volunteer forces around the world are comprised of youth and “they can take the lead in caring for victims of natural disasters.” Ghobadi added that “IRCS has faith in young people’s power in skill acquisition and transmission to others” and called for plans to educate children and adolescents early in life about natural disaster preparedness and survival skills, ISNA reported. Soudabeh Ahmadzadeh, United Nations Population Fund Representative in Iran who was also present at the conference said ‘’since one-third of the Iranian population consists of youths, there is a historic opportunity to tap that potential.’’
