The Public Health in Emergencies training program focuses on critical public health issues faced by Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers working in complex emergencies.

Learning Objectives

Module 1: Introduction 

  • Identify basic disaster terms, processes and concepts that form a common framework for working together in a team responding to a public health emergency
  •  Leverage resources that will help you overcome challenges and solve problems 
  • Analyze, evaluate and interpret data to solve problems and identify possible solutions and responses to these problems.

Module 2: Epidemiology

  • Describe epidemiology and why it is important in emergency situations
  • Describe the three types of epidemiological studies
  • Distinguish quantitative and qualitative indicators
  • Estimate the population size Calculates rates, ratios and proportions useful in RHA

Module 3: Prioritizing Health Responses

  • Analyze the data from the Rapid Health Assessment to identify risks to health and well being
  • Identify health system interventions to meet SPHERE Standards and address needs
  • Identify health service interventions to meet SPHERE Standards and address needs
  • Use a matrix to prioritize interventions

Module 4: Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage

  • Involve the community in testing their water, treating their water, and then keeping their water clean through safe water storage and good hygiene habits
  • Determine if water is contaminated
  • Choose the most appropriate method for treating water in a scenario
  • Train the community how to use water treatment methods
  • Establish safe storage and hygiene programs
  • Monitor the effectiveness of these activities

Module 5: Rapid Health Assessment

  • List the objectives of the RHA
  • Justify the steps in the RHA process
  • Describe the methods and processes to conduct the RHA
  • Identify the key indicators to include in the RHA
  • Calculate key indicators included in the RHA
  • Synthetize RHA data into a report by analyzing relevant RHA data

Module 6: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) module is part of the IFRC’s Public Health in Emergencies – Understanding Disasters Course. In this module, you learn about what MHPSS is, why and how it is done, and how it links to Health. Once you have a basic understanding of key concepts, you apply this knowledge to analyze, reflect, and act on situations from a fictional, yet realistic flooding disaster in a country called Mandawi.

Methodology

This is a self-paced course, which allows you to move from one module and lesson to the next at your own speed.

Structure

The course is structured into six modules:

  1. Module 1: Introduction
  2. Module 2: Epidemiology
  3. Module 3: Prioritizing Health Responses
  4. Module 4: Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage
  5. Module 5: Rapid Health Assessment
  6. Module 6: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Length

We estimate that the course will take approximately 2.5 hours to complete.

Audience

While this e-learning resource was developed by the IFRC primarily for Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers, it has also been made available to UNICEF staff. It is designed for all staff who are working on / interested in child public health in emergency settings.

Contact details

Content issues: Sofia ALEXANDRE <Sofia.ALEXANDRE@ifrc.org>

Technical issues: agora@unicef.org

Disclaimer: UNICEF does not warrant in any way the accuracy of the information reproduced and may not be held liable for any loss caused by reliance on the accuracy or reliability thereof.