Quick Facts

This 15 credit course unit is part of HCRI's MA programme in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response (MA programme) but can also be taken as a stand-alone module.

How to apply for stand-alone module: Please complete this online application form

Your completed form will be submitted to our admissions officer who will contact you to let you know whether you have been accepted onto the programme and provide details regarding registration and payment of fees.

Period of study: 1 semester

Degree awarded: Students successfully passing the assessment component will be awarded 15 credits under the national CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) system. CATS helps you to move the credits you accumulate from one institution to another.

Entry points: September 2012

Deadline for entry in September 2012: August 2012 though candidates are encouraged to apply earlier to secure their place on this popular course

Course fees for entry in September 2012:

Stand-alone 15 credit course fees: To be confirmed

Academic lead/course enquiries:
Dr Rubina Jasani, EHA course convener rubina.jasani@manchester.ac.uk

Application process/administrative enquiries:
Dr Rubina Jasani, EHA course convener rubina.jasani@manchester.ac.uk

About the Course

Providing an understanding of the principles of good practice in emergency humanitarian assistance and its place in health care development, the benefits and drawbacks of EHA will be explored alongside its place in the UN, the role of Government and non government contributions in the delivery of health care to vulnerable populations, and the relationship of health to economics and politics.

The course will be delivered through a combination of face to face and online learning. Students will come together for 2 face to face sessions during which they will be taught by expert practitioners, academics and policy makers/influencers and also provided with an opportunity to contextualise and interrogate the learning through tutorial group sessions. The face to face element will be supported with online materials. Students will also have to contribute to focused discussion board sessions as well as complete their private reading and research.

Course dates:

The module is likely to be taught in 2 face to face sessions between September and December 2012. Dates to be confirmed

Course aims:

• To introduce students to the diversity of political, economic, social and health factors in time of emergencies

• To develop a holistic understanding of complex health issues in times of emergencies

• To understand the limitations and possibilities of emergency humanitarian medical assistance.

• To encourage critical analysis of emergency humanitarian assistance

Intended learning outcomes of the programme:

On completion students should be able to show a critical understanding of:

• The common causes of disease in displaced populations and their prevention and treatment.

• How to carry out basic health surveillance and health needs assessment

• The food, water and sanitation requirements of populations

• Medicine and Surgery in low resource settings

• The special needs of women and children

• The common consequences of “natural” and man-made disasters

• Complex Emergencies

• Conflict Medicine

• The roles of governments, international organisations, non government organisations and the military in humanitarian crises

• The psychological and social consequences of humanitarian crises

Course assessment:

The course will be assessed as follows:

• A 3,500 to 4,500 word essay to be submitted in January 2012 (85% of the marks)
• Contribution to the discussion board sessions (15% of the marks)

Entry Requirements

Vocational relevance

The course is relevant to applicants with a keen interest in pursuing humanitarian aid work in the future, as well as those with existing experience. We are happy to accept intercalating medical students, doctors, nurses, aid and development workers and people from the military.

Student testimonials

Karen Livingstone
MA Humanitarianism and Conflict Response Student 2010-2012
Registered General Nurse

"Preparedness prior to responding to an international disaster cannot be underestimated and the Emergency Humanitarian Assistance module is a step in the right direction. Hosted by the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, the module content is highly relevant and applicable to individuals wishing to pursue an interest in disaster response. The lectures cover a wide variety of relevant health-related topics delivered by a high caliber of speakers, many drawing on first hand accounts from personal experience of working on disaster response teams worldwide. As a student highly enthused by the subject matter I found the personal accounts of the speakers inspiring and exceedingly admirable!

The course is a practical introduction to the multi-faceted sector of emergency humanitarian assistance. Classroom attendance is compulsory, but the structure of the academic sessions, two days in October, and two days in December makes the course extremely accessible to students travelling from afar. Lecturers further encourage learning via the University online system, Blackboard, which I found to be highly convenient for accessing course material. Lecturer presentations were also uploaded to the course site, which was a real bonus! All staff were highly approachable, encouraged participation in classroom discussion, and were committed to student learning. I have no hesitation in recommending the Emergency Humanitarian Assistance module to future humanitarians!"

 

Antony Duttine
Emergency Humanitarian Assistance - stand-alone module student 2010/11
Rehabilitation Advocacy Officer, Handicap International

"The Emergency Humanitarian Assistance course is unique in attempting to align critical academic thinking on disaster response and practical realities of the challenges faced by teams on the ground.  As a student of international development and experienced in a number of overseas missions, the course helped me learn and focus on the different approaches required in emergency contexts.  By combining students from public health and students from the humanitarian and conflict response course, it also facilitates cross dialogue between two sets of workers likely to be involved in the frontline aid response to better understand each others roles and standpoints.

A series of face to face lectures and sessions gives the opportunity to better comprehend the context and challenges behind humanitarian intervention.  This is complimented by an online exercise which requires students to “think outside the box” in developing practical solutions to real problems faced in emergency settings."