Global humanitarian assistance

master class

This masterclass is designed to be "self-contained" and provide students with modern aspects of Humanitarian Assistance and Aid during emergencies, disasters or armed conflicts. New technologies, strong public interest, social networks require to discuss and adopt new style of thinking about emergency response.

Over time the basic needs are the same, however social context and public resonance are wider and modern resources richer. Al this arises questions of ethics, effect and efficiency.

Two 90 minutes lessons

Targeted for graduate students of:

      • Humanities,
      • Social and Political Sciences,
      • Economics,
      • International and Development Studies,
      • Philosophy - Ethics

Also welcoming students of:

      • Disaster or Emergency Management,
      • Supply Chain Management,
      • Logistics,
      • Operations Management

Open for public and professionals:

      • aid workers,
      • NGOs workers,
      • public administration
  • NO pre-requisites,
  • optimal number 25-30,
  • standard classroom equipment
  • the 2nd lesson is based on my disaster response experience from around the world

main topics

Based on model and real-world situations, we will discuss various aspects of humanitarian aid. The main issues affecting social, ethical, psychological as well as economic, legal, logistical and security aspects will be gradually opened up.

  • When humanitarian aid becomes harmful?
  • Why is the livelihood support important?
  • The most expensive PET bottle of water.
  • Does the spontaneous volunteer know at least the basics of effective help?
  • T-shelter is a good solution after a disaster, but for how long?
  • A bad NGO's plan for help is only the beginning of major problems.
  • Why is it difficult to build new homes after a disaster, and it's easy to criticise it.
  • Are everyone after the disaster equal?
  • Can we ensure neutral humanitarian aid at all? Is it not better to resign from this strict criteria?
  • How important is assessment and why does the process take a long time?
  • We have data from the affected area, but can we read them?
  • Why is a soap more important than expensive organ transplantation?

We will put special emphasis on the following topics:

  • Biometrics plays a major role in helping victims of the catastrophe
  • Global clusters and their role after disaster
  • Doing cash transfers differently
  • Assesment as the key to humanitarian operations
  • Perceive the disaster locally and react collectively
  • My experience and findings from latest disasters from around the world

Previous Lectures

  • 08-Mar-2017: Prague, Charles University, HTF (MA students)
  • 15-May-2017: Prague, University of Economics, FMV (MA students)
  • 16-Jun-2017: České Budějovice, Czech Red Cross (Emergency Response Team)
  • 23-Jun-2017: Litoměřice, Czech Red Cross (Emergency Response Team)
  • 05-Oct-2017: Prague, Prague 6 Administration
  • 05-Dec-2017: Prague, Charles University, HTF (MA students)