Children living in disaster-prone areas in Timor Island: what do they know about disaster and climate change?

Global environmental change’s impact on local realities, which is getting more worrying daily, sparks awareness of the importance of risk reduction, adaptation, and preparedness in the communities, especially children and adolescents vulnerable to disasters and climate change. West Timor of East Nusa Tenggara Province is one of the areas that is at risk of climate change and disaster in Indonesia. This study aim to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and preparedness for disasters and climate change in children living in climate-risk and disaster years. The data were then analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Based on the study’s results, there are two main themes, namely (1) understanding related to disaster risk and climate change and (2) scientific attitudes possessed by students. Identifying the level of understanding and extent of critical thinking ability of children and adolescents that can inform policymakers and advocates to empower children to cope with future disaster risks.