AN IMPORTANT TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR HUMANITARIAN AID WORKERS IN ASIA
The Public Health in Complex Emergencies training program, a two-week
residential course, will be held in Thailand January 19-31, 2004.
The development of this short course was made possible by a grant from the
U.S. Government Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). World Education,
Inc. is implementing the course and the International Rescue Committee and
Columbia University are partners in this initiative. The Asian Disaster
Preparedness Center is the regional partner which also hosted this course in
2000.
NGO and academic professionals have developed the curriculum to meet the needs
of humanitarian agency staff working in complex emergencies. The training is
appropriate for international and local NGOs, UN staff and Ministry of Health
employees. We hope that some of the larger organizations and contractors will
be able to sponsor local health professionals. The tuition for the two-week
course is $2,300 and includes room and board.
Participants will learn core competencies in:
Context of Emergencies
Epidemiology
Communicable Diseases
Environmental Health
Nutrition
Reproductive Health
Weapons, Violence, Trauma
Protection and Security
Psychosocial Issues
Coordination
Attached [below] is the brochure and application form. I would be most
appreciative if you could circulate this information to people in the region.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Lorna Stevens
Director, Health Training
International Rescue Committee
122 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10168
Tel: 212-551-3005
Fax: 212-551-3185
email: [log in to unmask]
PUBLIC HEALTH IN COMPLEX EMERGENCIES
TRAINING PROGRAM
Implemented by
World Education, Inc.
in partnership with
Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health
International Rescue Committee
Regional Partners
Makerere University, Institute of Public Health, Uganda
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, Thailand
American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Date: August 25-September 6, 2003
Regional Partner: Makerere University, Institute of Public Health,
Kampala, Uganda
Date: December 1-13, 2003
American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Date: January 19-31, 2004
Regional Partner Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, Bangkok, Thailand
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 taught in the original Public Health in Complex
Emergencies training program and/or were involved in designing the curriculum.
What is the cost?
Tuition is $2,300 and includes room, 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. Unfortunately, there are no
scholarship funds available. However, in the past some participants have
secured financial aid from ministries of health, WHO regional offices and
private sources.
What makes this training program different?
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.
"The elements learned in the course are practical and extremely useful for
public health planners and program managers, as well as headquarters staff and
policy makers involved with responding to complex emergencies. I learned a
great deal about how the many elements of response must and do work together
to provide adequate and appropriate service to displaced populations." New
York, August 2000
"The course was excellent in providing information. (It) provided tools and
examples of real-life working programs that I can adjust and use in complex
emergencies. The course encourages and challenges decision-makers to improve
health services among people in complex emergencies…" Bangkok, March 2000
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.
Language and teaching methods.
The course is currently offered in English only. Extensive reading and
participatory learning methods are used. All participants will receive a pre-
reading packet of 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.
What is the application procedure?
Applications should be submitted directly to the International Rescue
Committee (IRC). Once accepted, applicants will receive detailed registration
information and procedures for payment. Tuition includes a $250 non-
refundable registration fee.
All applications should be sent to:
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Attn: Lorna Stevens
122 E. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168 USA
Tel: (212) 551-3005
Fax: (212) 551-3185
Email: [log in to unmask] - Website: http://www.theirc.org/phce
Special acknowledgement and thanks to the following organizations:
Action Against Hunger, AMREF-Uganda, American Red Cross, American Refugee
Committee, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (Bangkok), CARE, Catholic Relief
Services, Center for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (Austr.), Doctors of the
World, Institute of Public Health-Uganda, InterAction, International Medical
Corps, International Aid, 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, Women’s Commission
for Refugee Women and Children, World Food Program, World Health Organization,
World Vision
Funded by the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance/USAID
PHCE APPLICATION FORM
Date: August 25-September 6, 2003
Regional Partner: Makerere University, Institute of Public Health, Kampala,
Uganda
Date: December 1-13, 2003
Regional Partner: American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Date: January 19-31, 2004
Regional Partner: Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, Bangkok, Thailand
Which course are you applying for: ____________________
Your second choice (optional) ____________________
________________________________________________________________________
Name:
Organization:
Address:
Tel:
Fax:
Email:
Date of Birth:
Nationality:
Male/Female:
_______________________________________________________________________
You may attach a resume or C.V. in place of questions 1-3.
1. Job title and description:
2. Related field experience (dates, duration, location, affiliation, duties):
3. Education:
4. Please circle one: Level of fluency in reading and speaking English:
Poor Fair Good Excellent
Area of Concern
What is the most urgent area of concern to you in your public health work in
humanitarian assistance programs? Briefly write your question, problem, or
specific issue and the course will attempt to address your question as
specifically as possible.
Presentations
Would you like to do a presentation? Informal lectures, case studies or slide
shows are welcome (maximum 20 minutes, optional evenings). If so, please state
your topic here:
Deadlines
In order to ensure that pre-reading materials are sent to participants early
enough to prepare for the course, applications should be received by July 20
for the Uganda course, October 27 for the Beirut course and December 22 for
the Bangkok course. The implementing and regional partners will review
applications, and notification of status will be sent by IRC as soon as
possible. Upon registration and receipt of payment, applicants will be sent a
pre-arrival reading packet, which will include further instructions,
logistical details, etc.
How to Apply
If you have received this application form electronically (e.g. email), save
this attachment as a file, type in your replies, save, and send it back as an
email attachment to IRC (see information listed below). If you have received
this information in printed form, return this by fax or regular postal mail.
Completed applications should be sent to IRC as follows:
Lorna Stevens,
Director, Health Training
International Rescue Committee
122 E. 42nd Street, NY, NY 10168, USA
Tel: 212-551-3005
Fax: 212-551-3185
Email: [log in to unmask]
Payment Information
Following confirmation of acceptance, participants should arrange payment by
the date listed above. Payment must be received in U.S. dollars only.
Certified or personal checks for $2,300 USD should be made out to WORLD
EDUCATION, INC. and sent to Lorna Stevens c/o IRC at the address listed
above. Wire transfers should be sent to:
Bank Name: Citizens Bank
Bank Address: 28 State St. Boston, MA
Routing # for Wire transfers (ABA #) : 011500120
Name on Account: World Education, Inc.
Account # 1130110394
Cancellation Policy
Tuition of $2,300 includes a non-refundable registration fee of $250.
Course participants should consider bringing extra luggage to carry course
materials back home or budget money towards shipping materials
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Note: The material contained in this communication comes to you from the
Forced Migration Discussion List which is moderated by the Refugee Studies
Centre (RSC), University of Oxford. It does not necessarily reflect the
views of the RSC or the University. If you re-print, copy, archive or
re-post this message please retain this disclaimer. Quotations or extracts
should include attribution to the original sources.
|
