The last decade has seen a marked increase in large-scale, ‘natural’ disasters. In fact, many such catastrophes contain important man-made elements.

 ‘Natural’ disasters can result in overwhelming challenges for humanitarian organisations, especially when they affect urban environments. Yet effective prevention measures such as early warning and monitoring systems can minimise the impact of otherwise devastating earthquakes and floods.  To deliver a better response to such catastrophes, humanitarian workers need to understand the complexities associated with aid-projects delivered in the context of ‘natural ‘disasters.

What you can expect from this course

For humanitarian professionals who need to improve their knowledge and skills of disaster-management and prevention, this course will deliver applicable, practical tools and analysis skills.

For professionals with experience in risk or disaster management who wish to move into the humanitarian sector, this course will deliver an understanding about what is specific to humanitarian interventions in the context of ‘natural’ disasters, and how such interventions can be delivered in accordance with humanitarian principles.  

Course contents

During the six weeks of the course, the following themes will be addressed :

• Assessing the geographical extent of a disaster
• Local and international disaster response
• Public health response follwoing natural disasters
• Recovery and reconstruction
• Preparing for disaster management

A detailed course programme will be available in July 2012.