The 4^th edition of the Regional H.E.L.P. Course begins in New Delhi on 24 February, 2020. The two-week course on ⁠Health Emergencies in Large Populations ⁠(H.E.L.P.) is organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross in partnership with International Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), known for its contribution to health research management. It is also supported by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), which is commemorating 100 years of humanitarian action this year, and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), a premier institute for training and capacity development programmes for managing natural disasters, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

This blend of educational and operational partners brings together experienced field practitioners to meet the course objective of enhancing professionalism in response to health emergencies in large populations. The course focuses on decision making by putting affected people at the centre and using a public health approach, fostering multidisciplinary responses and bringing out challenges, dilemmas, norms and standards.

A participant shares his experience during one of the sessions of the Regional H.E.L.P. Course held in 2017. ©ICRC

The regional H.E.L.P. course places an emphasis on managing health problems seen in emergencies and presents a range of topics, including project management cycle, public health engineering and humanitarian coordination. It is a mix of lectures, discussion and group work and fosters a collaborative learning environment that allows participants to share experiences. The course seeks to provide participants with the tools to make informed field decisions when faced with natural or man-made emergencies.

Twenty-four participants from nine countries – a mix of professionals from the health, water/sanitation, economic security and logistics sectors – will attend the course to be held at IIHMR in Dwarka, New Delhi. Participants represent not only the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, but also public and private sectors.

The Regional H.E.L.P. Course in New Delhi is one of the nine offered around the world. For further information, please visit the website.