Harvard Humanitarian Initiative

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Issue in Focus

HHI Responds to Earthquake Devastation in Haiti

In response to the Haiti earthquake disaster, the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) is playing a lead role in supporting the coordination of the Harvard-wide response including that of the Harvard-affiliated hospitals within Partners Health Care System. By leveraging HHI’s unique position as an academic and research center with long-standing ties to leading medical and public health personnel, HHI has been able to facilitate the deployment of more than 70 surgeons, emergency physicians, anesthesiologists and nurses to Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

To read more about HHI’s response to the Haiti earthquake, please visit our Earthquake in Haiti page.

To find out how to volunteer, visit our Volunteer in Haiti page.

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Visit HHI's Volunteer in Haiti page to find out if volunteering with HHI is right for you.

HHI in the media: responding to Haiti

See articles about HHI's relief efforts in Port-au-Prince.

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Burden of Surgical Disease

Led by Fellow Kelly McQueen, the 3rd annual Working Group Meeting will be held March 10-12 at Vanderbilt University. 

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Humanitarian Studies in the Field

HHI's flagship offering in humanitarian studies is a two-course program called "Humanitarian Studies in the Field". In its eighth year of operation, this program is administered jointly by HHI and the Feinstein International Center at Tufts University and includes an intensive, two-week seminar in essential crisis management skills as well as a weekend-long crisis simulation in Harold Parker State Forest. The program is open to any graduate student at Harvard University, as well as cross-registering students from Tufts University, MIT, and Harvard-affiliated hospitals. These courses are designed for graduate students who would like to learn more about the evolving and multidisciplinary field of humanitarian studies and who are interested in pursuing careers in the field of humanitarian response.  Descriptions of the courses at HSPH are provided below.  For more information, please visit the Humanitarian Studies Couse website here.

Below is information for students registering through the Harvard School of Public Health. Tufts University students who are interested should look into NUTR 324 at the Friedman School or DHP D213 at the Fletcher School.

Those interested in receiving training in Humanitarian Studies who are not eligible for registration at the Harvard School of Public Health or Tufts University should contact Brian Daly, Administrative Coordinator, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

HSPH - GHP 515 Humanitarian Studies in the Field
Winter Session, January 4 - 22, 2010, 9 am - 1 pm, MWF
Dr. Hilarie Cranmer, Dr. Jennifer Leaning, & Dr. Peter Walker
2.5 credits at HSPH. Seminar, case studies.
Location: TBD

This course will offer a practical and in-depth analysis of the complex issues and skills needed to engage in humanitarian work in field settings. Through presentations offered by faculty and guest lecturers who are experts in their topic areas, students will gain familiarity with the primary frameworks in the humanitarian field (human rights, livelihoods, Sphere standards, international humanitarian law) and will focus on practical issues that arise in the field, such as rapid public health assessments, field cluster sampling techniques, application of minimum standards for food security, and operational approaches to relations with the military in humanitarian settings.

HSPH - GHP 516 Humanitarian Studies in the Field II
Spring-02, Friday-Sunday April 23-25, 2010 (full days)
Dr. Hilarie Cranmer, Dr. Jennifer Leaning, & Dr. Peter Walker
2.5 credits at HSPH.
Location: Harold Parker State Forest in North Andover, MA

In this course, students will utilize knowledge of the humanitarian field gained in the Winter Session course GHP 515 during a three-day field simulation exercise. Students will spend two nights in the forest and participate in a complicated disaster and conflict scenario. During the simulation, students will work in teams representing different humanitarian non-governmental organizations and will engage with a wide range of local and non-state actors (roles developed and filled by faculty, course alumni, and affiliates) to create a service delivery plan. Prerequisite: Students are required to successfully complete GHP 515, Humanitarian Studies in the Field.

For more information about the courses, visit the course sites for GHP 515 and GHP 516. HSPH Registration for 2009 Winter Session and the Spring Semester begins December 3, 2009. If you would like more information on the courses or have any questions, please be in touch with our educational programs contact below.


Other Graduate Courses at Harvard University

ethiopia_village_visit_2To download HHI's Humanitarian Studies Course Guide for 2009-2010, which contains additional relevant course offerings in humanitarian studies within the Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard Business School, the Graduate School of Education, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard Kennedy School, click here.

 

 

Useful Links for Graduate Students


Educational Programs Contact

Vincenzo Bollettino
Phone: 617-384-8368
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it