India: Essentials of Humanitarian Practice

This 5-day essential course is conducted globally by members of RedR International. The course blends key aspects of humanitarian work and its theories with case studies and practical simulations leading to an understanding of disasters, conflicts and humanitarian principle along with action; all of which are critical to an effective humanitarian action and risk reduction work.

Course Aim

This course aims at imparting learning on principles of humanitarian practice and the nature of work in emergency response. The intention is to prepare professionals interested in working on the needs of affected men, women and children in crises.
Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the humanitarian relief system, its nature of organizations and role of actors in the international relief system.
• Describe the characteristics of natural disasters and complex emergencies.
• Elucidate various humanitarian principles, code of conduct and accountability frameworks while explaining their application to humanitarian practice.
• Identify key cultural, political, organizational and environmental issues relating to relief assistance and the architecture of humanitarian work.
• State and explain the importance of cross cutting issues in humanitarian work.
• Demonstrate techniques and approaches that increase individual’s as well as the team’s responsibility in humanitarian work.
• List down key aspects of individual preparedness for humanitarian work.

Course Outline

Day 1 The Humanitarian Context

The participants will be introduced to the disaster response context and humanitarianism, including its basic codes and standards. The course will deliver a logical framework to the disaster management cycle.

Day 2The Humanitarian Professional

The second day will start with examining participants’ motivation for entering into humanitarian response. The course will then discuss individual Preparedness for Disaster Response and Coordination – Working with multiple actors and communicating with different actors. The training will also cover the aspects of Creating and Operating Teams in Emergencies as well as Personal and Team Security in Emergencies. The day will conclude with a session focusing on impact and dilemmas of relief work, including the Do No Harm principle.

Day 3 Putting it into Practice

On the third day, the participants will learn about Needs Assessment Process for Multi- Sectoral Nature of Disaster Response, followed by sessions on aspects of Emergency response and Risk Reduction showing Programmatic Approaches for Disaster related Work. This will include Project Planning and Management in Disasters and Risk Reduction, Monitoring and Evaluation in Disasters, Logistics and Supply Chain Management for Disaster Response and Managing Relief Distribution.

Day 4 Reflecting on Practice

The entire day will be spent working on presenting and debriefing an operation planning based simulation in a Disaster situation.

Day 5 The Realities

On the last day, there will be an open discussion on various cross cutting issues in relation to emergency response. Sessions will also include sharing of first-hand experiences of ‘what it is like to work in the field’. The day will conclude with sharing of ideas regarding psychological health and the realities and perspectives of a returned relief worker.

Who Should Attend?

This intensive course involving essential theory and class room exercises will be ideal for people interested in working in humanitarian and disaster risk reduction. Those with specific technical skills will benefit from learning the ways to apply their expertise to unique humanitarian contexts. Individuals and agency staff working in the sector would also benefit from vital orientation and reflection on current humanitarian work issues, trends and knowledge.

General Info

The training shall be conducted in English. However, as a RedR India policy, participants who are not very comfortable with English are also encouraged to participate and are helped in every possible way.

Click here to download the Course Flyer

Registration Details

To register for this course, please click participant registration form. Your registration will be confirmed on receipt of the completed form and course fee.

For queries or additional details regarding the training, please email - Sinu Chacko (sinu@redrindia.org) or training@redrindia.org