Overview
Objectives
- Explore key concepts and principles underlying the provision of humanitarian assistance in health emergencies and major health crisis, and the methods of provoding such assistance
- Examine various aspects and approaches of health emergencies that can be adopted by all humanitarian-organisations
- Assess various stages of the planning process: assessing needs, analysing the context, selecting priorities, setting objectives, mobilizing resources, drafting plans, and implementing and evaluating activities
- Contribute indirectly to more effective coordination in emergency operations
Audience
People with strategic and managerial responsabilities, health professionals, public health officers and epidemiologists, water and environmental engineers and legal or policy advisors.
Programme
The course consists of a number of approximately 30 modules structured around broad themes:
- Humanitarian standards and international humanitarian law;
- Health systems and healthcare services;
- Data and field epidemiology;
- Communicable diseases;
- Non-communicable diseases;
- Nutrition and livelihood support;
- Public health engineering (water, sanitation, and hygiene);
- Economic security.
Registration
Registration deadline
22 March 2026
Fees:
Full Price: 2'000 CHF
Partner Rate (ICRC, MSF): CHF 1'600 (20% discount)
Admission criteria
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a Swiss or foreign university
- At least three years of relevant professional experience
- Excellent command of English*
*Documents and language requirements for Executive Short Courses
Application File
- Copy of identity document or passport
- Passport photo (.jpg format)
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter (explaining what is the reason why you apply for this course and how will the acquired skills help you in your career)
- Copy of the highest educational qualification obtained
- Copy of work certificate or official document of the current job position
- Proof of English language level
- Employer's funding agreement, if applicable
- Employer's letter of support (recommended)
More information about the application process is available on our admissions page.
Curriculum
Period
27 April 2026 - 8 May 2026
Credits
2 ECTS credits
Teaching hours
50 teaching hours
Director(s)
Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, University of Geneva
Coordinator(s)
Jonathan POLONSKY
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
