The ICRC regional delegation in New Delhi invites applications to the 5th Regional H.E.L.P. Course which will be hosted online, from 6 to 17 December 2021, by the International Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) in cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The H.E.L.P. course – Health Emergencies in Large Populations – is a two weeks on-site training course on the principles and practice of humanitarian interventions in response to the needs of people affected by acute and protracted crises and natural disasters. It was created in 1986 by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the University of Geneva, to professionalise the provision of humanitarian assistance during emergencies.

The course provides a multidisciplinary learning experience of humanitarian relief in disasters and emergencies through a public health approach taking into account emerging issues. At present, the course is offered by the ICRC in partnership with different academic institutions, the WHO and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in eight countries around the globe: The USA, Iran, India, Cuba, Switzerland, Benin, Lebanon and Japan, and to date, it has been attended by over 5,000 health professionals and aid workers from about 160 countries.

The objective of this programme is to enhance professionalism in the response during health emergencies in large populations due to natural disasters, complex crises or disease outbreaks, with an emphasis on decision making in crises. It considers affected people at the centre, in their context, and uses a public health approach, fostering multidisciplinary responses and bringing out challenges, dilemmas, norms, standards and principles.

The course is for professionals with a health background such as medicine, nursing, public health and nutrition, for engineers in water and sanitation, or with strategic or management responsibilities in humanitarian emergencies.

For further information regarding H.E.L.P. Course, please contact:

Dr A. K. Khokhar
Adjunct Professor
International Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR)
Plot No. 3, Sector-18A, Dwarka, New Delhi-110075
Mobile: +91-9818007543
akkhokhar@iihmrdelhi.edu.in

Dr Ritu Singh Chauhan
National Professional Officer – IHR
World Health Organisation, India
Tel: +91-11-66564800

Dr Vanshree Singh
Director Blood Bank & Incharge Health Programmes
Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), National Head Quarters (NHQ)
1, Red Cross Road, New Delhi – 110001
Email: directorbloodbank@indianredcross.org | Tel: +91-11-23711551
Collaborating coordinator from NIDM

Dr Anil K Gupta
Head, Division of Environment and Climate DRM
National Institute of Disaster Management
Plot no. 15, Pocket-3, Block-B, Sector-29, Rohini, Delhi – 110042
Tel: +91-11-208734121
Email: anil.nidm@nic.in

Dr Anjum Soni
International Committee of the Red Cross
Regional Delegation for India, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal
A-49, Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi – 110016
Tel: +91-11-42211000