Humanitarian & Disaster Management
Preparedness & Response to Humanitarian Crises
Prepare for, activate and manage a coordinated response to sudden-onset and protracted crises.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Prepare for, activate and manage a coordinated response to sudden-onset and protracted crises. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
Programme at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Crisis typologies and the humanitarian system |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Contingency and preparedness planning |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Rapid assessment and situation analysis |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Response activation, coordination and clusters |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Accountability to affected populations |
Target audience & entry requirements
Target audience
- • Humanitarian, development, resilience and community practitioners.
- • Government, NGO and volunteer personnel whose roles relate to this programme area.
- • School leavers, graduates and working adults seeking practical professional development.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:
- Write a contingency plan for a likely local hazard
- Run a rapid multi-sector assessment
- Coordinate a first-phase response
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Crisis typologies and the humanitarian system
Weeks 1–2Develop practical capability in crisis typologies and the humanitarian system, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in crisis typologies and the humanitarian system
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for crisis typologies and the humanitarian system.
- 2
Contingency and preparedness planning
Weeks 3–4Develop practical capability in contingency and preparedness planning, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in contingency and preparedness planning
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for contingency and preparedness planning.
- 3
Rapid assessment and situation analysis
Weeks 5–6Examine rapid assessment and situation analysis as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
What you cover
- Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for rapid assessment and situation analysis
- Appropriate data sources, methods and quality checks
- Interpretation, documentation and decision-ready reporting
Assessed work: Produce and review a working analysis or evidence tool for rapid assessment and situation analysis.
- 4
Response activation, coordination and clusters
Weeks 7–8Develop practical capability in response activation, coordination and clusters, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in response activation, coordination and clusters
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for response activation, coordination and clusters.
- 5
Accountability to affected populations
Weeks 9–12Study accountability to affected populations in the context of humanitarian & Disaster Management, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within accountability to affected populations
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying accountability to affected populations to a realistic setting.
Practical project / portfolio
Table-top simulation of a district-level emergency activation.
Teaching & learning approach
- Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Table-top simulation of a district-level emergency activation.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Career & professional pathways
This programme supports professional development; it does not guarantee employment, promotion or entry to a regulated occupation.
- Apply the programme’s tools in field, programme, coordination or community-facing responsibilities related to humanitarian & Disaster Management.
- Use the completed project or portfolio as evidence of applied professional development.
- Progress to related SLIHSD intermediate or advanced professional learning where available.
Fees & enrolment
- • Indicative programme fee: SLE 2,500.
- • One-off indicative registration fee: SLE 100.
- • Final fees, start date, delivery arrangement and any instalment option are confirmed in writing before commitment.
- • Submitting an application does not require payment and does not guarantee admission.
Regulatory & recognition notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Ready to start Preparedness & Response to Humanitarian Crises?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.