Health professionals build global humanitarian crisis response capacity

Photo By Master Sgt. Theanne Tangen | Health Emergencies in Large Populations (H.E.L.P.) course attendees participant in a practical exercise as a part of the Nutrition and Livelihoods class Sept. 11, 2019 at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii. H.E.L.P is hosted by Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the University of Hawai’i Office of Public Health Studies. The training is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the major public health issues and decision- making skills necessary to effectively plan for and respond to the needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises. (U.S. Navy photo by Theanne Herrmann)  

HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES

09.23.2019

Story by Theanne Tangen 

Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Thirty-eight civilian and military health professionals representing 20 countries gathered for the 22nd annual Health Emergencies in Large Populations (H.E.L.P.) course at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii, Sept. 9-20.

The two-week H.E.L.P. course is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the major public health issues and decision-making skills necessary to effectively plan for and respond to the needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises.

The course is hosted by Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM) in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the University of Hawai’i Office of Public Health Studies.

“This public health course is unique because it’s the only training environment in the world designed to help develop a common language amongst humanitarian, civilian and military responders,” said Craig Jaques, CFE-DM global health security advisor. “It allows there to be a unique conversation across the spectrum of government perspectives as well as those that operate in the field day-to-day with international non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.”

Throughout the course, lectures, case studies, and practical exercises are presented on a wide variety of topics such as Nutrition and Livelihoods, Water and Sanitation, Health Care Services, Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, Protection, Ethical Dilemmas, and more.

“The course trains practitioners on managing humanitarian emergencies from a public health perspective,” said Douglas Wallace, CFE-DM deputy director. “A key take-away is broadened knowledge about the need for integrated approaches in humanitarian crises.”

All of the instructors have experience working in humanitarian response environments, such as Mr. Bob Handby from the Australian Red Cross, with nearly 40 years of experience.

“I enjoy teaching and passing on some of the knowledge I’ve gained throughout the years,” said Handby. “Unfortunately, there is evidence of an increase in humanitarian crises and populations residing in vulnerable areas. I think we have to be more prepared. Making people self sufficient in their disaster response capacity is important. The H.E.L.P. course certainly goes a long way toward improving local capacity to look after themselves.”

This H.E.L.P. course brings people together from all parts of the world, such as Dr. USA Perera, a coordinator of the National Program for Disaster Preparedness within the Response Division for the country of Sri Lanka.

“I have learned a lot after coming here; it has been eye-opening to learn new perspectives from everything we discussed,” said Perera. “I will bring back what I learned from all of the modules, especially the nutrition class. In Sri Lanka our nutrition program is separate from our emergency management systems. Now I have learned the importance of integrating them together.”

Not only are the participants learning from the presentations they receive and the exercises that they participate in, but socially, they interact and get to know one another throughout the two-week period.

“They are developing friendships, networks, and partnerships and one day they may work in the field together … which would be fantastic,” said Handby.

CFE-DM fosters diverse partnerships by inviting subject matter experts to facilitate modules from the ICRC, World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Baylor University, Burnet Institute, Save the Children USA, RedR Australia, and the Australian Red Cross.

“Our partnerships ensure the content presented is relevant and represents the latest best practices in the field,” said Antje van Roeden, ICRC representative.

If you would like to learn more about the H.E.L.P. course conducted in Honolulu, Hawaii, log onto: https://www.cfe-dmha.org

• Date Taken: 09.23.2019
• Date Posted: 09.23.2019 16:23
• Story ID: 343159
• Location: HONOLULU, HI, US
• Hometown: JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US