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Children Need Support To Cope After Major Disasters
Written by
Lesly C. Hallman
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Thursday, February 03, 2005 — A few days after the devastating tsunami struck in southeast Asia, a seven-year-old went into an American Red Cross office to donate the contents of his piggy bank, filled with about $40 – his Christmas money.
Children across the United States had a similar reaction when they heard the news and sprang into action, determined to raise whatever money they could to help those affected. Compassion on the part of children is a common element of dealing with a disaster, according to experts. At the same time, children may also need help understanding exactly what has happened, and a sense of understanding on the impact in their own lives.
Michael, Kendrick, Willie and Alyssa (left to right) are resident students of Easter Seals who raised $217 in a bake sale for American Red Cross tsunami relief. They are pictured with Cynthia Lemley, Development Director for the Greater Arkansas Chapter.
Clairbourn students are taking steps to make a difference in the world.
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When a disaster occurs in the United States or around the world, its impact is often profoundly felt by communities everywhere, but none may be as susceptible to feelings of fear and misunderstanding than children, leading them to wonder, “could that happen to me or my family?”
“Most children, especially young children, don’t always understand that a disaster far away is not a risk for them, so adults need to explain that,” said Heidi Taylor, curriculum associate with the American Red Cross Masters of Disaster® program.
Explaining to children the impact of a disaster in another part of the world can be an excellent opportunity to educate kids about preparedness in their own communities, said Taylor.
“The messages need to be positive, and focus on actions the children themselves can take,” she said. “For most that is two main steps—making a plan, and building a kit. Those two things can help in any emergency event, no matter where children live.”
The Masters of Disaster curriculum helps teachers integrate important disaster safety instruction into their regular core subjects such as language arts, math, science, and social studies.
“One of the things to know about young kids is that they have a lot of compassion for other people,” said Taylor.
Fifteen-year old Raquel Monell exemplified this compassion when she unselfishly decided to donate her once-in-a-lifetime gift from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to the children of the tsunami disaster instead. Raquel suffers from bone cancer and gave up the $5,000.00 that would have been used to grant her wish, to provide food, water, shelter, and health and medical supplies to children and families suffering the effects of this tragedy.
According to UNICEF, children account for a large proportion of the more than 150,000 reported casualties both because they represent 39 percent of the overall population of the eight hardest-hit countries, and because they were physically less able to outrun the water or withstand the force of the water or debris.
“Children are very generous and kind to others, as this situation shows,” said Taylor. “But parents and other adults need to realize that while kids are focusing on the needs of others, they need to think about their own well-being and safety. Parents and teachers can encourage them to take interest in their own personal safety.”
More information on the Masters of Disaster curriculum includes
- Masters of Disaster® curriculum for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 available from your local American Red Cross chapter,
- Masters of Disaster Earthquakes Activity Sheets free for downloading at http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters
- Masters of Disaster Floods Activity Sheets free for downloading at http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters
- Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal With Terrorism and Other Tragic Events curriculum for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 available from your local Red Cross chapter or free for downloading at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters
- “Lesson Plan 4: Have We Felt This Way Before? Reacting to Tragic Events”
- “Lesson Plan 9: Family Disaster Plan”
- “Lesson Plan 10: Community Preparedness”
- “Lesson Plan 11: Do Something!”
For more information about tsunamis and how to discuss disasters, visit:
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