South Asia earthquake 8 October 2005 - resources for schools
© Till Meyer - German Red Cross
The earthquake that struck close to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Saturday 8 October has caused widespread devastation.
Your students may be asking questions about it and wondering what they can do to help.
We've gathered together some links to resources and information that you may want to use in your classroom, in your school assembly or in informal discussion groups.
Children and young people in your school may have family and friends affected by the disaster. But even if your pupils are not directly affected, please bear in mind the possible effects on them of the disaster and subsequent media coverage.
Please note that some of these websites may contain disturbing images that pupils might find distressing.
© Photo 1 & 2 REUTERS/Damish Ismail courtesy of www.alertnet.org. Photo 3 REUTERS/DESMOND BOYLAN
Citizenship teaching resources
Red Cross Assembly Kits
This kit is part of the British Red Cross humanitarian education programme and its response to the Asian earthquake. It gives teachers everything they need to plan a school assembly about the recent disaster.
It can also be used more broadly in any educational setting with young people, particularly informally or as part of education for citizenship. The resource aims to encourage young people to think beyond the mix of horror and despair, sadness and grief that follows disasters. Although it is prompted by the Asian earthquake, it raises questions that are common to many emergencies.
Oxfam: Earthquake in South Asia
Oxfam's resource brings together educational materials from Cool Planet and information from the main Oxfam website and external sites, to support teaching about the earthquake.
It includes the excellent Dealing with Disasters lesson plans (ages 11-14), an Earthquakes resource looking at why earthquakes happen, whether they can be predicted and how they affect people. There is also a country profile of Pakistan and links to the latest news information on the disaster.
© Till Meyer - German Red Cross
BBC Natural Disasters website
BBC 'hot topics' site on natural disasters including earthquakes, floods and storms, tidal waves and droughts. Could natural disasters devastate Britain? What do you know about disasters? Do you feel at risk? Timeline of events.
Teacher's blog entry: Thoughts, Earthquakes and Blogs
Brief information on one geography teacher's approach to developing materials on the Asian earthquake for students.
Information for children and young people
BBC Newsround: South Asia Quake
Special report on the South Asia Earthquake created especially for children and young people. All the latest news and information as well as pictures, personal stories, opportunities to share your views and advice on what to do if the news upsets you.
Information and latest news articles
© Till Meyer - German Red Cross
BBC News
In-depth special report on the South Asia earthquake - all the latest news plus images and survivor stories.
Wikipedia: 2005 Kashmir earthquake
Comprehensive news and information on the earthquake. It includes details of areas affected, casualties and rescue and relief operations.
How you can help
© International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
The Disasters Emergency Committee is an umbrella group of UK aid organisations - including ActionAid, British Red Cross and Oxfam - working to provide clean water, food and shelter to thousands. To donate money telephone from the UK on 0870 60 60 900.
Department for International Development (DFID)
Asia earthquake and tsunamis information and advice on how you can help and where you can get more information.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
News stories, press releases, operation updates and appeals for funds.
Special thanks to the Red Cross for use of its images.