Health Emergencies in Large Populations (H.E.L.P.)
Executive Short Course
H.E.L.P. is a two-week course on the provision of humanitarian relief during disasters, armed conflicts, and other complex crises. It was created in 1986 by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the University of Geneva, to professionalise the delivery of humanitarian assistance during emergencies, and to promote professional ethics and humanitarian principles.
There are complex issues that humanitarian personnel have to tackle, often during emergencies. What are the most effective means to protect the lives and dignity, and promote the health, of people affected by major climate change-related disasters or armed conflicts? What must be done to analyse a complex crisis, evaluate needs, assess the resources available, and set priorities?
What goes into planning and managing a response and, later, evaluating its effectiveness? How should threats to public health be prevented or responded to, mental and social well-being promoted, and care provided in a way that is effective, sustainable, respectful, and ethically sound?
ICRC-sponsored courses have been held in various parts of Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa, and Asia. Since 1986, over 5'000 health professionals and humanitarian aid workers from various organizations, academic institutions, Ministries, and military services have attended the course.
explore key concepts and principles underlying the provision of humanitarian assistance in health emergencies and major health crises, and the methods of providing 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.
problem-solving and participatory teaching and learning: analysis of situations and group discussions are key elements;
Various teaching methods are used: lectures by experts, selected readings, group work in problem-solving, simulations of crises, field visits, and presentations by the participants themselves.
