Children and young people were the hidden victims of the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. This cannot happen again.

Young people in fire affected areas are disproportionately impacted by disasters, as they face traumatic disruptions during a critical point in their lives and development.

Often their needs are sidelined at a time when families and communities are stressed and disconnected, and resources are being channelled to dealing with disaster relief and recovery.

Where will they work or go to school? Where can they hang out on the weekends? How can they access local support networks and services?

These are all big questions which take a toll on a young person's wellbeing, and identity. People in fire-affected communities are twice as likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder and depression than the normal population.

Many young people will be required to step up their responsibility to their families and will feel that they cannot voice their normal concerns in the context of a disaster environment when everyone's needs are so dire. They may also lose their sense of control over their lives and their future.

There is also a risk that young people will leave their communities because they have been displaced or to search for jobs, and will not return.

This is all compounded by transport, phone and internet outages which prevent young people from staying connected with their friends and support networks.

That is why Youth Affairs Council Victoria is advocating for specific funding and services for young people and youth services in bushfire areas and is working with our members and counterparts in other states to develop a Youth-Focused Disaster Protocol. We are already speaking to government, bushfire recovery agencies, local councils and youth services about how this can happen.

It is vital to provide resources specifically to support and empower young people in bushfire affected areas to make an active, meaningful contribution both in the immediate aftermath of the fires, and the ongoing recovery and rebuilding process.

In fact, young people can be key to restoring and creating resilient communities following a disaster.

Young people can lead projects to help their communities to recover and rebuild infrastructure and the future economy in modern ways. Young people's unique ideas and solutions can be particularly valuable for tourism, construction, and agriculture and disaster readiness areas.

In other conflict and disaster zones, it has often been young people who have led community projects to rebuild their communities.

We must also create opportunities for young people, such as apprenticeships while they assist with rebuilding, or training as they run youth programs, which could allow local skills development to be one of the few silver linings from this tragedy.

Young people must be supported by local youth workers and youth services. I commend the Victorian Government for providing dedicated funding for the Victorian Bushfires Case Support Program and call on Bushfire Recovery Victoria to ensure there is specific support is allocated for youth services.

Local youth services already know the community and have a level of trust, so are a much better investment than fly-in-fly-out models of support, or relying on bigger services in regional centres.

Their work can be remedial, providing daily on-the-ground general support and mental health services, or recreational programs to ensure young people can regain a sense of normality, and stay connected to their communities with people who understand what they have experienced. And they can assess and refer young people to other services where necessary.

Importantly, youth services can also co-ordinate, support and fund young people to play an important role in contributing to recovery and rebuilding efforts, and rebuilding community cohesion.

The government must commit to a medium to long-term investment in additional youth services of at least three years, recognising the need for continuity, and that issues will continue to emerge over time.

Rural communities are made up of incredible, resilient people - many of whom are young people who are passionate about where they live.

In the wake of the fires, young people and youth workers matter more than ever.

My deepest thanks and respect go to the firefighters, community workers and other frontline services.

I urge you and the young people in your life to take care and stay connected to your loved ones and communities.

YACVic has developed some important self-care tips and resources. YACVic's Youth Disability Advocacy Service has also created a dedicated blog post on bushfire resources for Victorians with Disability.