Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon;
Public Health in Emergencies, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, Thailand;
School of Public Health, Makerere University, Uganda

With support from:

World Education, Inc. (WEI), International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The Public Health in Complex Emergencies training program (PHCE) is a two-week residential course that focuses on critical public health issues faced by NGO/PVO personnel working in complex emergencies. The goal of the course is to enhance the capacity of humanitarian assistance workers and their organizations to respond to the health needs of refugees and internally displaced persons affected by these emergencies. Participants will master key competencies in all of the following sectors:

• Context of Emergencies
• Epidemiology
• Communicable Disease
• Environmental Health
• Nutrition
• Reproductive Health
• Weapons, Violence and Trauma
• Protection and Security
• Psychosocial Issues
• Coordination

• NGO/PVO staff who are responsible now (or may be in the near future) for making decisions that affect the health of refugees and internally displaced persons.
• District medical officers and other Ministry of Health staff working in regions affected by complex emergencies.
• Staff from international and governmental organizations instrumental in planning services for people affected by complex emergencies. Medical Coordinators, Health Coordinators, Program Managers and District Medical Officers from international and national health organizations are typical candidates for the course.

The trainers are leading international and regional experts with a wide variety of field experience in complex emergencies. Trainers represent a range of backgrounds from NGO’s to multi-lateral organizations, international agencies, academic and research centers. They all have significant hands on experience and many have trained for many years in the Public Health in Complex Emergencies training program and/or were involved in designing the curriculum.

The Course Package is US$2,575 and includes course fee, daily meeting package with lunch and refreshments, non-refundable registration fee of US$250, training kit and all course materials. Please note that this does NOT include the cost of accommodation. Participants are also responsible for all of their travel expenses and incidentals such as laundry, personal phone calls, faxes, Internet or email usage, and shipping of personal items from the course. Please refer to the Course Application Form for more details. In the past, some participants have secured financial aid from ministries of health, WHO regional offices and private sources.

Field staff from humanitarian, international and academic organizations have developed the curriculum specifically to meet the needs of NGO/PVO organizations working in complex emergencies. This course is truly “of the field, by the field and for the field.” Preference will be given to participants currently working in emergency situations. Participants are expected to meet with their supervisors prior to attending the course to discuss an action plan for applying their new skills and knowledge. A structured exercise during the course will help to finalize these plans. Participants will be contacted approximately 3 months later and asked to report on their progress.

The PHCE Course has been accredited by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Asia Council based in Singapore (http://www.iaem.com.sg) earning training credit towards the IAEM’s Certified Emergency Manager� credential as follows: 21 hours for Emergency Management and 4 hours for General Management with a total of 25 hours credit.

The course is currently offered in English only. Extensive reading and participatory learning methods are used. Participants will receive pre-reading materials before arriving at the course site. An interactive simulation exercise on the last day gives participants an opportunity to use the skills and knowledge learned during the course. Participants should be fluent in reading and speaking English.

Applications should be submitted directly to the partner organization. Once accepted, applicants will receive detailed registration information and procedures for payment. Tuition includes a $250 non-refundable registration fee. Please apply at least one month prior to the date of the course you wish to attend.

Action Against Hunger, American University of Beirut (Lebanon), AMREF-Uganda, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (Bangkok), CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Center for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (Austr.), Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Doctors of the World, Institute of Public Health-Uganda, InterAction, International Aid, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research (Melb. Aust), Medecins Sans Frontieres, MERLIN, Peace Corps, RedR, Relief International, Save the Children, Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance/USAID, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, World Education, Inc., World Food Program, World Health Organization, World Vision