PUBLIC HEALTH IN COMPLEMERGENCIES
TRAINING PROGRAM

Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, Thailand
Makerere University, Institute of Public Health, Uganda

With support from: World Education, Inc.International Rescue Committee

2009 COURSE DATES

• Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, Thailand
  July 6-18, 2009:
   

• American University of Beirut, Lebanon
  (to be announced)
   

• Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda
  November 2-14, 2009:

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

Who should take this course?

• 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.

Who are the trainers?

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.

Tuition is $2,400 and includes accommodation, three meals daily, and all course materials. Participants can expect to have a private room. In some cases it might be necessary to share single-sex bathroom/shower facilities. Participants are 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. 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 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 nonrefundable 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

Further Information 

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)
SM Tower, 24th floor
979/69, Paholyothin Road
Samsen Nai, Phayathai
Bangkok, 10400

Tel : (66-2) 298 0682-92
Fax : (66-2) 298 0012-13
www.adpc.net

or
visit the PHCE partnership website
www.phcetraining.org

Public Health in Emergencies Team 

Bradford Philips
Director
philipsb@adpc.net

Janette Lauza-Ugsang
Project Manager
janette@adpc.net

Sanjeeb K. Shakya
Project Coordinator
sanjeeb@adpc.net