Humanitarian and Disaster Relief
| Module title | Humanitarian and Disaster Relief |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM167 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Rob Daniels (Convenor) Dr Emma Cockcroft (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 8 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
This module will explore the concept of disaster and major incident health preservation and its importance in humanitarian aid and relief. Real world examples will be utilised to examine a range of public health issues of global importance from a variety of perspectives. A range of case studies relating to epidemics the distribution of infectious diseases, including person-to-person contact and prevention. Water and air pollution will be discussed and mitigation measures to preserve life and establish safe sanitation. Concepts in security and risk mitigation that are fundamental to operating in natural or manmade disaster zones will be discussed, including safe movement and protection of the health force, hazard recognition (and avoidance) and managing hostility and conflict. Finally, the course aims to develop an understanding of optimal strategies for triage and trauma management in humanitarian context.
Emergency Planning Resilience and Response (EPRR) will be examined using a well-established UK model to enact a chain of command.
Delivery through a face-to-face intensive residential module supported by extended online resources on ELE.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module you will further critically examine the challenges of providing safe and effective healthcare in a range of challenging environments following major incidents. You will undertake risk assessments and appraise disease mitigation options. You will appreciate how the military or government services set up an EPRR chain of command. You will consider in detail the impact of a hostile environment on the safe functioning and movement of the health team.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Critically evaluate the fundamental health challenges in an acute disaster zone
- 2. Demonstrate an ability to hypothesise what type of hazards may present in hostile humanitarian crises and mitigate their potential impact and occurrence
- 3. Critically evaluate the drivers of infectious diseases following a disaster in developed and developing countries
- 4. Evaluate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for travelling and communicating in hostile environment
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Show detailed understanding of current trans-national efforts to manage emerging infectious diseases on a global scale
- 6. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the importance of risk assessment
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Work together in groups collaboratively and effectively.
- 8. Communicate ideas effectively in writing and in person to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- 9. Critically engage with research evidence drawn from sources such as books, journals, and the internet.
- 10. Consider problems in a holistic way, and to be aware of the drivers of health and wellbeing.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
- Health priorities in disaster zones
- Key concepts of public health
- Personal & Team security
- Safety in urban and rural disaster environments through hazard recognition and avoidance
- Key elements of humanitarian law
- Infectious diseases in acute humanitarian context
- Logistics of disaster relief
- Triage and acute trauma management in humanitarian context
- EPRR and Humanitarian aid
- Risk assessment
- Personal and organisational resilience
- The role of the Red Cross
- WHO UNICEF roles
- Introduction to the Sphere Charter – Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 265 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 35 | Residential course: Lectures, seminars, master-classes, practical exercises and group work in specialist areas. Online learning. |
| Guided Independent Study | 185 | Reading and preparation for scheduled sessions and coursework. Web-based learning; resource gathering and in-depth reading during the period of module delivery |
| Guided Independent Study | 80 | Preparation and writing of assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal feedback | 1-10 | Facilitator |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment 1 | 50 | 2000 words masters writing assignments | 1-10 | Written |
| Written Assignment 2 | 50 | 2000 words masters writing assignments | 1-10 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment 1 | 2000 words masters writing assignments | 1-10 | Typically within 6 weeks |
| Written Assignment 2 | 2000 words masters writing assignments | 1-10 | Typically within 6 weeks |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
• The Sphere Project Handbook http://www.spherehandbook.org/
• World Health Organization (WHO) (2002), 25 Questions & Answers on Health & Human Rights. Health & Human Rights Publication Issue No. 1. Geneva. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/9241545690.pdf
• Noji, E (ed.) (1997), The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. Oxford University Press. New York.
• WHO and PAHO (2001), Health Library for Disasters. Geneva. http://helid.desastres.net/
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 01/08/2023 |
| Last revision date | 29/07/2024 |