UM: Public Health in the Humanitarian Action Context

This study-unit will mainly deal with the following:
 
- The concept of Emergency Planning Cycle which involves the planning, preparedness and response to major emergencies;
- An overview of the disaster classification and understand the impact of disasters on the health of a population and the health system;
- Identify vulnerable groups within a population;
- The process of humanitarian assistance during a major disaster.

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
 
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- identify the short and long term health impacts caused by different major disasters;
- explain the impact of various types of disasters on health systems and the health of populations;
- identify the key problems encountered during the response to a disaster and discuss ways of addressing these problems.
 
2. Skills:
 
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to prepare their own plans to mitigate against different types of disasters with particular emphasis on the counter measures to take during these events to prevent further consequences arising which will have a direct affect on the health of the population.

The aims of the study-unit are to:
- provide the students with an overview of disaster classification;
- understand the impact of disasters on the health of the population and the health system;
- understand ways to mitigate the health impact;
- identification of specific vulnerable groups within the displaced population.

Presentation: 30% weight, resit availability present
Case study (take home): 70% weight, resit availability present

Main Book:
The Johns Hopkins and Red Cross Red Crescent: Public health guide in emergencies (2nd edition 2008)
http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-refugee-and-disaster-response/publications_tools/publications/_CRDR_ICRC_Public_Health_Guide_Book/Forward.pdf
 
Reference Books;
Handbook of disaster medicine-emergency medicine in mass casualty situations - Jan de Boer and Mercel Dubouloz.
Disaster Management - a disaster manager's handbook - W Nick Carter.