International Humanitarian Response I

GHP 515 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course offers practical training in the complex issues and field skills needed to engage in humanitarian aid work. Students will learn 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) in Spring 2.
Topics covered:
        • Humanitarian response community and coordination
        • International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
        • Sphere standards (shelter, water and sanitation, food security, health)
        • Civil-military relations, media skills, logistics, and budgeting
        • Program design, monitoring and evaluation, accountability
        • Personal security, mental health, stress, and teamwork
 
Co-requisite: GHP 518, International Humanitarian Response II, Spring 2.

Course Notes: All students must petition for both GHP 515 and GHP 518 and complete this form https://bit.ly/IHR2027 to be considered for enrollment. There is a required course fee for GHP 518. No auditors allowed. Lectures will take place at the Harvard Chan campus in Longwood. Please review the description for GHP 518, the co-requisite Spring 2 course.