Disasters and emergencies teaching resources
These teaching resources will help students consider the impact of disasters and emergencies and help young people prepare for and cope with a crisis.
Explore the topic of disasters and emergencies with our free lesson plans and teaching materials, which are ideal for Citizenship, PSHE and Geography teachers.
Get primary and secondary teaching ideas about:
- natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and typhoons
- emergencies such as terrorist attacks or transport accidents
- extreme weather like droughts or flooding
These resources are part of Humankind, our professional development programme for teachers, created with expert guidance on humanitarian and life issues.
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Disasters and emergencies teaching resources
Teach about climate preparedness
Weather Together: a climate teaching resource
The British Red Cross toolkit to teach learners how to prepare for and cope with extreme weather, including flooding, heatwaves and eco-anxiety. Suitable for learners aged 10 to 16.
The international Movement
We don’t work alone. We’re part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world’s largest humanitarian network.
In the news
Newsthink: Hurricane Dorian
How have people been affected by the hurricane and what is the role of resilience? Suitable for learners aged 11 to 16.
Newsthink: Lebanon
Use this free teaching resource to explore the impact on families displaced and separated by conflict, based on the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.
Newsthink: flash floods in Spain
Explores how communities are taking action in the aftermath of the floods in Spain. Suitable for learners aged 10 to 19.
All Newsthink resources
Topical teaching resources exploring news from a humanitarian perspective. Real-life examples through film clips, photographs and stories linked to the news to prompt discussion and develop critical thinking and media literacy.
First aid
A curriculum-linked website (available in Welsh and English) for learning everyday first aid at home and school. Ideal for teachers who want first aid resources all in one place. Suitable for primary and secondary.
Further learning
Introducing emergencies (primary)
Use these photo and discussion activities to help primary children understand an emergency, build knowledge and develop skills to help them be better prepared for an emergency in the future. Suitable for learners aged 5 to 11.
Natural disasters: earthquakes
A geography curriculum-linked perspective on how individuals and communities prepare for, respond to and recover from life-changing natural disasters, including exploring how earthquakes happen. For ages 11-19.
Memorise and practise using the useful alfa bravo charlie-style phonetic alphabet, used worldwide to make it easier to spell words over the radio. Suitable for learners aged 7 to 19.
Support for teachers
Talking with children about a major emergency (primary)
This resource provides guidance and activity ideas to help children explore their emotions following news of a traumatic event. Suitable for learners aged 5 to 11.
Talking with young people about a major emergency (secondary)
A resource to help teachers support young people and explore how they and others may feel following news of a major emergency. Suitable for learners aged 11 to 19.
How to talk to children about a terrorist attack (article)
Read this article where Dr Sarah Davidson offers her advice on how best to talk to children about a terror attack.
Humankind: empower your teaching with free CPD
Sign up to Humankind, our Continuing Professional Development programme for educators working with young people aged 11-18.