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Aid agencies have warned of a "catastrophic" humanitarian disaster in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes following intense fighting between government and rebel forces. Humanitarian relief organisations were forced to suspend their operations for a period because of the risks to their workers' safety.
The United Nations refugee agency has particular fears for an estimated 50,000 displaced civilians who abandoned relief camps in an area north of the city of Goma. Displaced people who left the camps are thought to be roaming the bush, seeking shelter, water and food.
Discussion ideas
> Talk about the relief camps set up to feed and shelter very large numbers of people during emergencies. Discuss whether they are the most efficient way of helping people. Talk about how they only work if people feel more secure inside them than outside. If people feel threatened, they will naturally try to hide. What survival strategies might be adopted by those who are in hiding? Will they get help from local people?
> Last month a poll suggested only one in a hundred people in the UK knew there was a war in the Democratic Republic of Congo - despite it being the biggest conflict in recent years. Will recent publicity make people more aware? Talk about what students know about the DRC. One of the root causes of the conflict is thought to be illegal exploitation of the country's valuable resources, including copper, cobalt, gold and diamonds. Do students know of media reports that cover this? Talk about the media's strengths in reporting dramatic suffering, but their weakness in explaining the background reality. Where might students look for more information?
More resources
>> A photo-based teaching resource shortly to be published by the British Red Cross contains an award-winning portrait of rebel leader Laurent Nkunda, along with activity ideas and background materials. Pre-order the pack, priced £6.99 at the British Red Cross shop.
Anthrax spread from drum skin | Top |
A drum-maker has died in a London hospital after inhaling spores of anthrax. Fernando Gomez is thought to have contracted the illness while handling infected animal skins at his workshop in Hackney. The Health Protection Agency sealed off Mr Gomez's flat and workshop for examination.
The disease anthrax is contracted from spores that live in the environment. Humans and many species of animals, particularly livestock, can become infected - usually fatally. Outbreaks in the UK among cattle and pigs are now rare. Only four cases of infected animals have been reported in the past 10 years. Infections associated with handling untanned animal hides are now extremely rare in the UK. There is thought to be a higher risk from handling imported animal hides from countries where anthrax is widespread in animals, such as parts of Africa and Asia.
Discussion ideas
> Invite students to say what they know about anthrax. It was in the news for several weeks in 2001 after anthrax spores were sent in the post to media and politicians in the USA. Five people were killed and others injured. Talk about the fear generated from random biological attacks on innocent people. Anthrax was tested as a potential weapon - though biological warfare is now banned under international treaty. Do students think the world is a safer place now that biological and chemical weapons experiments are no longer legal? Research and discuss the tests by British military scientists which in 1942 contaminated the Scottish island of Gruinard with anthrax.
> The Health Protection Agency stresses that anthrax is very rare and cannot be passed from person to person. Talk about ways to reduce the small risk even further. If students were concerned about the dangers of playing drums made from animal hides, or even attending a concert where they were played, where would they look for advice?
More resources
>> See the Health Protection Agency website for official advice and data on anthrax.
Attacks on ambulance staff | Top |
More than 8,500 households in the UK have a history of violence against paramedics, according to a BBC investigation. It says that ambulance staff called to emergencies at those addresses are advised to wait for police back-up before entering.
There are an estimated 1,000 attacks a week on health workers and members of the emergency services. Unison, the trade union that covers ambulance staff, says that while assaults on health workers are unacceptable, the current policy causes moral difficulties for staff who want to save lives.
Discussion ideas
> Talk about how ambulance staff might deal with the moral dilemma posed by this advice. What if an ambulance crew is told someone inside a house on the list is having a suspected heart attack? Discuss ways to balance paramedics' safety and the survival of patients. What factors would students take into account if it were their decision?
> One ambulance service is tackling the problem by calling for prosecutions of those who attack paramedics. It wants to see anti-social behaviour orders issued and private prosecutions of those who are abusive or violent. Do students think a zero-tolerance approach will work? What are the possible drawbacks? In another part of the country, ambulance workers are being offered skills training to help them defuse potentially violent situations. Discuss what those skills might be. Which of the two approaches do students think will be more successful? Which would give paramedics more confidence in their work?
A stunt by radio presenter Jonathan Ross and comedian Russell Brand dominated news coverage in the UK for several days. Thousands of complaints were received by the BBC after the two broadcasters left messages on the telephone voicemail of actor Andrew Sachs, aged 78.
The controller of Radio 2, Lesley Douglas, resigned in response. The BBC director-general Mark Thompson confirmed the suspension of the broadcasters. He also issued a personal and unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs, his family and licence fee payers for what he called a "gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team".
Discussion ideas
> Discuss the overlap between humour and giving offence. Talk about the difficulties of gauging what is acceptable and what isn't. What guidelines exist? Some people have said that there is an generational divide - with young people and older people differing about what is acceptable. Do students agree with this analysis?
> Many young people report being targeted by offensive voicemail and text messages. Is such bullying encouraged by broadcast phone stunts by high-earning celebrities? Discuss strategies for dealing with offensive messages. Talk about the best action when you realise that you have misjudged something and accidentally caused offence.
News think! is one of a number of free educational services produced by the British Red Cross. You can find more resources at www.redcross.org.uk/education
Have you used these topics to raise discussions or plan classroom work? Let us know your experiences or thoughts by emailing us at reducation@redcross.org.uk | 
