The document discusses Singapore's assistance to Christchurch, New Zealand after the 2011 earthquake. It provided a 55-member search and rescue team with rescue equipment and search dogs. The team worked non-stop to help with search and rescue as well as recovery operations. New Zealand expressed appreciation for Singapore's help. The document aims to teach students about how countries can strengthen relationships through sharing experiences and helping one another in times of need, as well as the common values like trust that are necessary to build friendships between countries.

1. International Friendship Day 2014Done by: Mdm Nazreen
Images and captions taken from http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/02/christchurch_earthquake.html

2. Lesson Objectives
1) Pupils to understand that by sharing our
experiences and helping one another, countries
can strengthen relationships;
2) Pupils to understand that there are common
values that are necessary to build trust
between countries.

3. Class Discussion (I):
As you look through the following images, ask
yourselves the following questions:
1) What happened in Christchurch?
2) What do you think are the reactions and feelings of
the residents in Christchurch?
As a class, have a short discussion based on
what you have seen or read.

5. The collapsed Pyne Gould Guinness building trapped dozens of people. The police
have been pulling 20 or 30 people out of those buildings right throughout the night.

6. Rescuers help an injured woman from the remains of the Pyne Gould Guinness Corp
building .The top three floors of the four-story building collapsed.

7. Workers attempt to extinguish a fire at the collapsed building of King's Education
School, where a group of Japanese students are reportedly trapped.

8. Survivors shelter together in Christchurch Tuesday night.

9. Kent Manning (left) and his sister Libby react with their father, who asked not to
identified, after they were told by police that there was no hope of finding Kent and
Libby's mother alive in a collapsed building on Wednesday.

10. Murray and Kelly James look at their destroyed house in central
Christchurch on Wednesday.

11. Class Discussion (II):
Read through the extract about how Singapore
offered to help in the disaster as well as the
notes of appreciation.
As a class, discuss on the following questions:
1) Why do you think Singapore offered
assistance?
2) Should other countries do the same?

12. How Singapore rendered help:
On February 22, 2011, an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook
Christchurch, New Zealand. SCDF’s Operation Lionheart was activated and a 55-
member contingent led by LTC Ling Kok Yong, Commander 1st CD Division left
Singapore for Christchurch on 23 February 2011, 0321hrs to assist in the search and
rescue operations.
The contingent comprised experienced officers from SCDF’s elite Disaster
Assistance & Rescue Team (DART), medical doctors, trauma paramedics, rescue
engineers, and other support officers. The contingent also brought along a host of
sophisticated rescue equipment. Four search dogs were also part of the mission.
The contingent swung into action immediately upon reaching the affected site and
worked round-the clock. At the request of the New Zealand government, 33
members of the 55-member contingent stayed on for a further seven days to
assist in the recovery operations.

13. Notes of appreciation:
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/a
rmy_news/News_Archive/2011/Mar2011/Christchurch.print.html?Status=1
http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/others/lionheart/wishes_from_t
he_heart.html

14. It’s Your Turn – Reflection!
Choose one of the questions below and post up your reflection on the current
affairs blog. The best three reflection wins a prize!
1) Are friendship between two countries similar to
friendships between two people?
2) What are the values necessary to build friendships
between countries? What will happen if these values
are absent?