Climate change, urbanisation, emerging infectious disease and widening socio-economic disparities have rendered the world's population more vulnerable to disasters and in need for humanitarian assistance. This unit (HMG7410) explores the history of humanitarian assistance and the role of different actors within the system. The continuum from prevention and risk reduction to humanitarian response and the transition to sustainable development is examined in the context of natural disasters, complex emergencies and post-conflict settings. Frameworks, mechanisms and tools for co-ordination, partnership, accountability and minimum standards in humanitarian response are investigated and critiqued. The potential roles, scope of practice and responsibilities of the government, organizations and civil society, within the international humanitarian system are addressed. The principles and ethics that inform practice in the field underpin the teaching in this unit.
Unit details
Location:
Study level:
Postgraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
HMG7410
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Learning Outcomes
| 1. | Critically review the principles and characteristics of humanitarian assistance endeavours; | ||
| 2. | Analyse contemporary challenges in humanitarian response in different contexts and extrapolate solutions to inform future practice; | ||
| 3. | Interpret statements of ethics, human rights and codes of conduct in the field of humanitarian response and hypothesise their practical impact; | ||
| 4. | Advocate for the use of specific theoretical and practical tools to inform humanitarian assistance; and | ||
| 5. | Apply the Disaster Management Cycle to a range of humanitarian assistance scenarios. |
Assessment
| Assessment type | Description | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Analysis of the principles of humanitarian assistance (1500 words) | 30% |
| Other | Debate on ethical dilemmas in humanitarian assistance (1000 words) | 20% |
| Performance | Group Simulation on a humanitarian response on a specific disaster (30 mins) | 50% |
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As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.
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