Managing Humanitarian Challenges

Catalog description

In 2016, the United Nations Secretary General noted in the World Humanitarian Summit Outcome Report that, “Armed conflicts and other violent situations, disasters caused by natural hazards and the impacts of climate change, health threats, soaring inequality and increased fragility marked by extreme poverty and weak institutions are among the factors contributing to the unprecedented spike in humanitarian needs.” In 2020, the world was further destabilized by the Covid-19 global pandemic leaving the humanitarian sector further extended and in desperate need of a radical rethink. This course will examine this evolving landscape and its implications for aid delivery including how it is planned, financed and executed to meet the changing needs of the people in need of assistance. Students will be introduced to the global systems that guide the sector, the organizations typically involved and how their power dynamics and agendas shape humanitarian response priorities and delivery. This course will provide a response-centered perspective on humanitarian operations, informed by case studies, lectures, and exercises. Experts in the field may guest facilitate portions of course sessions.