On 26 December
2004, an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale struck
the area off the western coast of northern Sumatra, triggering
massive tidal waves, or tsunamis, that inundated coastal areas
in countries all around the Indian Ocean rim - from Indonesia
to Somalia. At least 150,000 people died in the disaster,
with over 525,000 injured, 1,600,000 displaced and over 1,000,000
homeless.
Youth all over the world are affected
by and reacting to the disaster. Some are directly involved
in the disaster response, others are watching the disaster
from a distance, and getting involved in the response through
dissemination and fundraising. Here are a few examples of
how Red Cross and Red Crescent all over the world are working
with youth, to get involved and learn more about the disaster
and the international aid.
We would like to be able to post more examples! Please e-mail
us and let us know about other projects and initiatives! |
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Examples
of projects and initiatives by and for
Red Cross and Red Crescent youth: |
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Taslimah's
story
Taslimah
was one of many youth volunteers of the Indonesian
Red Cross who managed to put aside her own problems
and help others in the aftermath of the tsunami
in December 2004, here is her story.
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Taking
break from studies to help humanity
Indonesian students in their twenties are working
with the Indonesian Red Cross and the International
Federation to help the victims of the tsunami. They
are trained volunteers from SATGANA disaster response
teams from different parts of Indonesia, few have
ever been in Banda Aceh. For three weeks, they work
with the response to the tsunami disaster, before
returning to theis studies.
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British
Red Cross have produced teaching resourced for
schools in
response to the Asia Tsunamis. One is written for
primary school
children (7-10 year olds) and the other for secondary
school children (11 - 16 year olds). Available in
English.
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The Spanish
Red Cross Youth are working to sensitize Spanish
children and young people about the tsunami, as
well as to encourage them to join in the relief
efforts, through sms- and email-campaigns as well
as other forms of information. Here is a presentation
in Spanish that explains more about their interventions.
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The Austrian
Red Cross youth is starting a nationwide "Information-
and Fundraising Campaign" in all the schools
in the country. They have also have prepared some
education resources with information about the response,
as well as fundraising ideas, on their website.
This can be downloaded in German. |
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The Australian
Red Cross has developed a Tsunami Response
Kit for young people and educators, to to assist
education providers and young people trying to understand
the nature and scope of this recent disaster. The
kit includes tsunami fact sheets, teachers resources,
and ideas for action.
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Helping
children affected by the tsunami
The Nevis branch of the St. Kitts and Nevis Red
Cross Society raises money to assist children in
the aftermath of the tsunami. The Nevis Red Cross
President say that while most of the international
aid goes to Asia, their assistance will be focused
toward Somalia, where more than 30,000 people have
been displaced due to the disaster. The initiator
of the action is 95 year old Ms Mae Stevens (photo).
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Youth
