Youth Disaster Risk Reduction (YDRR) Initiative
Rooted in the mission to empower young people as key drivers of disaster resilience, the YDRR Initiative bridges professional expertise, community action, and global collaboration. Our team unites diverse backgrounds—from meteorology and public safety to youth development—to create accessible resources, foster meaningful engagement, and advance youth-led solutions for disaster risk reduction worldwide.
Our Leadership & Core Team
Wuzhou LIAN
Founder & Executive Chair
Department of Mathematics, The State University of New York at Stony Brook
Leads the initiative’s strategic vision, oversees cross-departmental coordination, and drives partnerships with academic institutions to integrate research into youth-focused disaster risk reduction practices.
Xiaoqing ZHANG
Vice Chair
Former Disaster Risk Management Specialist, China Meteorological Administration
Focuses on adapting global DRR frameworks to local contexts in China, including developing region-specific disaster prevention guides for youth.
Yunfei WANG
Head of Research
Research Fellow, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Leads the development of evidence-based resources (e.g., simplified meteorological analysis, disaster risk assessments) tailored to youth’s learning needs.
Susan Rodriguez
Head of Outreach
Partnerships Manager, IRDR
Builds and maintains collaborations with friendly external organizations—including educational institutions, and government agencies—to expand YDRR’s program reach and volunteer networks.
Our team’s collective expertise ensures the YDRR Initiative remains responsive to young people’s needs, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and impact in disaster risk reduction.