What are global humanitarian problems?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what a global humanitarian problem is and the range of responses from countries and international organisations.
Key learning points
- Humanitarian problems can be sudden or long-term and often lead to widespread human suffering and displacement.
- Short-term responses to humanitarian crises focus on saving lives, providing immediate aid and preventing further harm.
- Countries support long-term responses through development aid, peacebuilding and human rights protections.
Keywords
Humanitarian problem - a situation or event, often large-scale, that poses a serious and immediate threat to the health, safety or wellbeing of a community or group of people
Refugee - a person who has been forced to leave their home due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted
Natural disasters - a harmful event caused by natural forces, like a volcanic eruption, earthquake or drought, that can damage communities and the environment
Common misconception
Humanitarian problems are just conflicts.
Humanitarian problems can be a range of issues, including conflicts. It could be a natural disaster such as an earthquake or it could be other events which lead to a refugee crisis. Conflicts are one example of humantiarian problems.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to make connections between real-world events and the concepts of humanitarian crises. Use current examples like the Ukraine conflict or climate-related disasters to show how countries respond in both short-term and long-term ways.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match these global issues to their descriptions.
when people live without enough money to meet their basic needs
the suffering of people due to extreme scarcity of food
long term change in weather patterns
basic freedoms and protections that every human is entitled to
Q2.What is a humanitarian problem?
Q3.Which of the following is not a humanitarian problem?
Q4.Which organisation is known for providing humanitarian aid worldwide?
Q5.Which of these is a direct effect of a natural disaster on people?
Q6.What term is used for a person who has left their home country and is now living in a different country, seeking protection so they don't have to return to their home country?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to its definition.
serious threats to health or safety of a community or people
a person forced to flee due to danger or persecution
harmful events caused by nature, like earthquakes or storms
Q2.Which of these is an example of short-term aid following a humanitarian crisis?
Q3.Which country experienced severe flooding as a result of a monsoon in 2024, and was supported by the UK to improve its infrastructure?
Q4.Since 2008, how many people have been displaced by natural disasters?
Q5.Which of the following is not an example of a humanitarian problem?
Q6.Which agency works with the UN to uphold basic rights that everyone is entitled to?
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: What are global humanitarian problems?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: What are global humanitarian problems?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How does the international community respond to global humanitarian problems? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.