This cross-curricular resource for 11-14 year olds features detailed background information on floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and, famine. It also includes case study material and lesson plans to help teachers answer: Why do disasters happen? Can they be prevented? What can be done to help?  Students will find out how those affected by disasters cope, consider the importance of short- and long-term responses to disasters, discuss the causes of and solutions to disasters, and think critically about the ways in which disasters are presented by the media.