Humanitarian crises can be caused by natural disasters, famine, disease outbreaks or war. The United Nations have estimated that, almost 235 million people around the globe needed humanitarian assistance in 2021. We have compiled a list of top-rated courses on humanitarian crises and emergencies offered by top universities. All courses are free to audit. You can choose to opt-in for a paid certificate for an extra fee.
Public Health in Humanitarian Crises (John Hopkins University)
Public Health in Humanitarian Crises is an online course offered by John Hopkins University. The class examines the health impact of natural disasters and conflicts around the world. Lasting for five weeks, the course includes 10 modules: Humanitarian Disasters and Public Health; Humanitarian Actors and Coordination; Water and Sanitation; Livelihoods and Food Security in Humanitarian Crises; Nutrition in Humanitarian Crises; Management of Diseases in Humanitarian Crises; Health Care in Humanitarian Emergencies; Shelter in a Humanitarian Setting; Protection of Displaced Populations: Human Rights & Humanitarian Law; and Emerging Risks, Challenges, and Opportunities for Future Humanitarian Emergencies.
Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies (Emory University)
Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies is an online course offered through a partnership between Emory University and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the end of the four-week course, students will be able to accurately describe the impact of a complex humanitarian crisis and to calculate epidemiological measures. In addition, the class teaches how to examine and analyze epidemiological statistics and use the data to create public health programs and strategies.
Disaster Preparedness (University of Pittsburgh)
Disaster Preparedness is an online course offered by the University of Pittsburgh in the United States. The class is intended to help anyone begin to develop a plan to respond in the event of a tornado, flood, hurricane, tsunami, earthquake, massive power outage and other crises in order to protect themselves, their families and their businesses. Topics covered in the seven-week course include the Disaster Cycle, Personal Preparedness Basics, Personal Preparedness Safety, Attitudes and Awareness, International Perspectives, Support and Medical Considerations, and Wilderness Survival.
Non-Communicable Diseases in Humanitarian Settings (University of Copenhagen)
Non-Communicable Diseases in Humanitarian Settings is an online course offered by the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. This course seeks to educate public health professionals about the importance of managing non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the wake of humanitarian crises like natural disasters and armed conflicts. During the three-week course, students will learn about the challenges of properly administering care to people with these diseases during humanitarian crises and methods of overcoming these barriers to care.
Global Health and Humanitarianism (University of Manchester)
Global Health and Humanitarianism is an online course offered by the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. The class explores three main themes: An Introduction to Global Health; Humanitarian Responses and Dilemmas; and The Right to Humanitarian Assistance and the Responsibility to Protect. Each theme is taught by a different instructor from the University of Manchester and is presented through videos, reading materials and assignments that are meant to be worked through over a two-week period. This means that the course is best completed over a six-week period.
Confronting Gender Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers (John Hopkins University)
Confronting Gender Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers is an online course offered by John Hopkins University in the United States. During the first three weeks of the course, students will complete the following modules: Introduction to GBV-Epidemiology and Health Impact; Health Care Response, Screening and Psychosocial Support; and Clinical Care for GBV Survivors. The class concludes with an optional module that explores specialized topics, including epidemiology, policy and ethical guidelines.
