Humanitarian convoy attack

A lesson plan exploring the impact of humanitarian aid suspension.

Damaged aid lies inside a warehouse after an attack on Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy in Aleppo.
Age:
14-19
Type:
Lesson plan
Subjects:
Citizenship, PSHE
Topics:
Humanitarianism and the Red Cross, Conflict

Humanitarian organisations bring practical help and hope to people in crisis. Aid workers are protected from attack during conflict, as they are civilians. But when convoys are attacked, this can cause humanitarian aid to be suspended in the area. This discussion-based activity explores the impact of this suspension to both givers and receivers of that aid.

 

Learning objectives

Learners will:

  • explore the impact of aid suspension on different groups of people
  • consider how people may cope with this and show resilience
  • discuss the implications of international humanitarian law.

 

Resource overview

1. Group activity: Humanitarian aid has been suspended

Learners discuss how they might feel when they hear news that aid has been suspended following attacks on convoys.

2. Class discussion: A flagrant violation

Examine how the "rules of war" protect humanitarian relief missions.

3. Writing activity: Supporting humanitarian staff and volunteers

Write a message of support to family and friends of those who died trying to reduce the suffering of others.

 

Credits

This resource was written by P J White of Alt62 and published in September 2016.

The photo shows damaged aid lying inside a warehouse after an attack on Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy in Aleppo (© Reuters/Ammar Abdullah).