Course Overview

This course aims to introduce the underlying principles of the humanitarian sector and the realities of working in emergencies. This course helps to appreciate the background, evolution and nature of humanitarian work.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the learner should;

• Understandthe humanitarian relief system
• Understandthe roles and relationships of organizations in the international relief system and management
• Understand characteristics of natural disasters and complex emergencies
• Understandkey issues in cultural, political and organizational environment of relief assistance
• Appreciate the legal and emotional issues impinging on those affected by disasters Assess their personal skills and identify areas of development
• Recognize teamwork skills required in relief work and practice some essentials of effective teamwork
• Apply techniques and approaches that increase individual responsibility in humanitarian work.

Course Content

• General context of the complexity and diversity of relief situations; develop an understanding of the international context of emergency relief work, explaining the distinctions between natural disasters and conflict induced emergencies and provide an introduction to the international humanitarian system
• Monitoring and evaluation of emergencies, indicators and tools, including good practices
• Disaster risk reduction
• Programme management-log frame, project cycle, principles of programme management in emergencies
• Information management-information and communication technology in disaster risk reduction
• Shelter and settlement-emergency shelter options, sheltering as an approach, displacement and transitional settlement planning
• Supply chain management- Relief logistics, essentials of managing and distributing relief supplies.
• Assessment of the disaster cycle- why, when and standards for assessment, concepts of Disaster management.
• Humanitarian principles, standards and codes of conduct
• Disaster coordination- using the cluster approach
• Water sanitation and hygiene-basic essentials of Hygiene, and the framework of improving hygiene

Exercises:

After they have read the material for each unit, students are expected to test their own learning by completing some relevant exercises and tasks.

Assignments:

In order to demonstrate their understanding of the course content, students will be required to submit three assignments.

Course duration: 3 months

Course fee: €500

Regions targeted: Global