International Humanitarian Response (at HSPH)

GSD SES 05432 is the equivalent of GHP 515 and GHP 518.
This course is the equivalent of 3 GSD units, not 4.

This course offers practical training in the complex issues and field skills needed to engage in humanitarian work. Students will gain familiarity with the concepts and international standards for humanitarian response. While providing a solid theoretical foundation, the course will focus on practical skills such as conducting rapid assessments, ensuring field security, and interacting with aid agencies, the military, and the media during humanitarian crises.

The course culminates in a required three-day intensive humanitarian crisis field simulation (GHP 518)at Harold Parker State Forest in North Andover, MA, from 9am on Friday, April 28, through 3pm on Sunday, April 30, 2017. Students will camp for two nights in the forest as part of an aid agency team responding to a simulated international disaster and conflict. Student teams will carry out rapid assessments, create a comprehensive humanitarian aid plan, and manage interactions with refugees, officials, and other humanitarian actors. Students will face challenges that test their subject knowledge, team skills, creativity, and grit.

Topics covered:
         • Humanitarian response community and history
         • International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law
         • Sphere standards (shelter, water and sanitation, food security, health)
         • Civil-military relations, media skills, logistics, and budgeting
         • Monitoring and evaluation, accountability
         • Personal security, metal health, stress, and teamwork
         • Humanitarian technology, and crowdsourcing, and GPS skills

Course Fee : $300 to cover camping gear hire, food, and other equipment costs.
Course Note: This course is based at the Harvard Chan School as GHP 515 and GHP 518, and is cross listed with the Tufts Friedman School as NUTR 324 and the Tufts Fletcher School as DHP D213.

This course will take place in Harvard Yard, not at HSPH. Location will be updated.