Humanitarian and Disaster Relief - Theory

Module title	Humanitarian and Disaster Relief - Theory
Module code	HPDM070
Academic year	2022/3
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Malcolm Hilton (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11 weeks

Number students taking module (anticipated)	60

Module description

This module will explore the concept of disaster and major incident health preservation and its importance in humanitarian aid and relief. Real world examples will be utilised to examine a range of public health issues of global importance from a variety of perspectives. A range of case studies relating to epidemics the distribution of infectious diseases, including person-to-person contact and prevention. Water and air pollution will be discussed and mitigation measures to preserve life and establish safe sanitation.

Emergency Planning Resilience and Response (EPRR) will be examined using a well-established UK model to enact a chain of command.

No pre-requisites or specialist knowledge are required to undertake this module, which is well suited to interdisciplinary learning. Delivery is online, interspersed by personal study undertaken at your own pace and supported by our internet resources.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In this module you will further critically examine the challenges of providing safe and effective healthcare in a range of challenging environments following major incidents. You will undertake risk assessments and appraise disease mitigation options. You will appreciate how the military or government services set up an EPRR chain of command.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Critically evaluate the drivers of infectious diseases following a disaster in developed and developing countries
2. Demonstrate an ability to hypothesise where the future risk of ill health may emerge.
3. Appreciate how Emergency Planning Resilience and Response (EPRR) is enacted in the UK

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. Show detailed understanding of current trans-national efforts to manage emerging infectious diseases on a global scale
5. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the importance of risk assessment

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the importance of risk assessment
7. Consider problems in a holistic way, and to be aware of the drivers of health and wellbeing.
8. Work together in groups collaboratively and effectively.
9. Communicate ideas effectively in writing to specialist and non-specialist audiences
10. Critically engage with research evidence drawn from sources such as books, journals, and the internet.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module's precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

Introduction to module and assignment guidelines

• EPRR and Humanitarian aid

• Key concepts of public health

• Risk assessment

• Air, water, sanitation – emergency sanitation in the field

• Pollution and toxicology

• Personal and organisational resilience

• Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions

• The role of the Red Cross

• WHO UNICEF roles

• Introduction to the Sphere Charter – Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response

• Personal security

• Epidemics – cholera etc.

• Malaria and climate change

• Environmental behavioural change

• PHE Scientific Technical Advice Cell (STAC)

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
15	135	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities	15 hours	Online taught content
Guided independent study	35 hours	Session preparation and follow up work utilising resources provided on eLearning platform
Guided independent study	100 hours	Reading and written assignment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Quizzes	Each taught session	1,2,4,5	Facilitator and peer feedback online

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Written assignment 1	50	1500 words	1-10	Written
Written assignment 2	50	1500 words	1-10	Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Written assignment 1 (50%)	1500 words	1-10	Typically within six weeks of the result
Written assignment 2 (50%)	1500 words	1-10	Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

Please see the Student Handbook for advice

Please also refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The Sphere Project Handbook http://www.spherehandbook.org/

World Health Organization (WHO) (2002), 25 Questions & Answers on Health & Human Rights. Health & Human Rights Publication Issue No. 1. Geneva. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/9241545690.pdf

Noji, E (ed.) (1997), The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. Oxford University Press. New York.

WHO and PAHO (2001), Health Library for Disasters. Geneva. http://helid.desastres.net/

Key words search

human health, disease, humanitarian aid, humanitarian relief, disaster management, Public Health EPRR

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	25/10/2016
Last revision date	22/06/2020