Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies (Coursera)

• Center for Humanitarian Emergencies
• CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch

This course covers the technical and management principles that are the basis of planning, implementing, and evaluating health programs for acutely displaced populations in developing countries. The emphasis is on refugees in camp situations. The course includes modules on assessment, nutrition, epidemiology of major health problems, surveillance, and program management in the context of an international relief operation.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

1. Describe a complex humanitarian crisis in terms of magnitude, person, time and place.
2. Calculate basic epidemiology measures.
3. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiological data within the context of CHE.
4. Develop public health programs and strategies responsive to the diverse cultural values and traditions of the community being served.
5. Identify internal and external problems that may affect the delivery of essential public health services in a CHE.
6. Identify the different technical areas in a public health response in CHEs.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Setting the Stage: Refugees, Displaced Persons, Conflict, and Complex Emergencies
Defining complex humanitarian emergencies, the top priorities and response, and main actors involved.

WEEK 2
Healthcare in the Emergency Phase
Mental health programming for populations impacted by emergencies, reproductive health, food and nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene.

WEEK 3
Disease Control
Disease control, and communicable non-communicable diseases.

WEEK 4
Program Management
Overview of an essential component of emergency management - program management.