SGLK13023U Preparedness and Response to Humanitarian Crises

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc Global Health - elective course in Disaster Risk Mangement track.

There are a limited number of slots – ten in all – available in this study track, and on the courses for this study track. If there are more than ten students who wish to take the study track in Disaster Risk Management, a Study Plan Committee appointed by the study board considers the students' study plan applications and allocates the available slots. The criterias for allocation are listed in the curriculum.

See  MDMa course dates. 

 

Content

Disaster preparedness and response involve taking precautionary measures and anticpatory actions prior to a disaster occuring where advance warnings are possible. Preparedness planning improves not only the response to the effects of a disaster but also helps to reduce disaster impacts. Preparedness involves the development and regular testing of warning systems (linked to forecasting systems) and plans for evacuation or other measures to be taken during a disaster alert period to minimise potential loss of life and other damage. 

This course is designed to introduce two aspects of disaster risk management – Preparedness and Response – and to increase students’ awareness of the nature and management of disasters, leading to better performance. The content covers anticipatory action, critical discussion of principles, procedures, methods and terminology. However, terminology in this field is not standardised and different institutions may use the same terms in different ways. This will also be covered as one of the problematic issues in this field.

The course includes a wide range of topics within Disaster Preparedness and Response such as: anticipatory action, humanitarian leadership, conflicts and complex emergencies; International security;  Needs assessment and monitoring; Legal framework for refugees and IDPs; Information management; Use of case based approaches, Localisation, Financing and donors; and Personal safety in the field. We will also discuss the cluster-approach and some of the sectors such as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; Health; Emergency Shelter; Food/Nutrition; Protection; Camp Coordination and Management. Further we will also visit and gain experience from many international actors working within response based in Copenhagen (e.g. Save the Children, UNICEF, WHO, UNOSAT, UNOPS, UN-OCHA).

The main content areas are:

  • Basic concepts related to disaster preparedness and response.
  • Considerations in regional and local planning for disaster preparedness and response
  • A discussion on humanitarian values, principles, guidelines
  • International collaboration for preparedness and response 
  • Implementation of disaster preparedness and response plans and their limitations and pitfalls.
  • Health, pandemics, WASH and nutrition preparedness plans and response.
  • Protection issues
  • Information management, and needs assessments 
Learning Outcome

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate an overall understanding of key aspects of disaster preparedness, anticipatory action and response.
  • Acquire an understanding of the complexity of the “assistance” deployment environment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the range and role of stakeholders in preparedness and response.
  • Be aware of the sectors (Health, WASH, Shelter, Nutrition, etc.) and related standards for response.
  • Be familiar with coordination, information management and operations and logistics for disaster response.

 

Skills:

  • Research into the issues of pre-disaster preparedness planning and post-disaster response.
  • Apply concepts, standards, principles, and methods of preparedness planning and response operations to case studies.
  • Acquire the conceptual basis to appreciate the complexity of the response environment.
  • Develop a better ability to engage with and relate to disaster professionals – across sectors and disciplines and work collaboratively in a field situation through understanding some of the operational procedures in preparedness and response within the Cluster System.
  • Develop a Preparedness and Response Framework and Plan for a specific case study.
  • Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of the existing international preparedness and response systems.


Competences:

  • Apply tools used for teambuilding and stress management and demonstrate knowledge about intercultural and interdisciplinary communication.
  • Identify and formulate a relevant and current research question and develop a vulnerability profile for a case study assignment.
  • Work independently in self-directed study.
  • Work in a group – teamwork and presentation.
  • Engage in dialogue and discussions, and argue a case.
  • Negotiation, including compromise, argument and trade offs.
  • Read and critique scientific iterature and current humanitarian practices

Available in the Absalon course room

See admission/course registration requirements at www.mdma.ku.dk/​?admission-and-application/​?
There will be a variety of teaching/learning methods on the module ranging from lectures, to video screening followed by open discussions and to student led presentations. The teaching/learning methods could be listed as follows:
• Lectures - Imparting knowledge, concepts, theories and models
• Exercises – Inquiry or skills based with emphasis on analytical skills and problem solving
• Case Study Analysis – Review of previous practice and guided analysis of specific aspects of a case
• Videos – Guided with a set of questions or an exercise that follows
• Seminars – Self-directed by students and guided and mentored by tutors
• Presentations – of group assignments and feedback by a panel of tutors
• Visits to International Humanitarian Organisations
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 36
  • Preparation
  • 116
  • Exercises
  • 40
  • Exam
  • 16
  • Total
  • 208
Written
Collective

Examiners provide an overall joint written feedback to the class via Digital Exam.

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, 48 hours
Type of assessment details
An essay examination of 2 questions. Answer to each essay question/task should cover a minimum of two pages and maximum of three pages (1 page= approximately 2400 keystrokes/characters with spaces). Students will use real case examples from the Case Assignment to answer the questions.
Examination prerequisites

Exam registration upon course registration

Aid
All aids allowed

Remember to fill out an AI-declaration when you hand in your assignment. More information can be found on KUnet here.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

See the   MDMa Exam Schedule   

Re-exam

See the   MDMa Exam Schedule  

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge
• Demonstrate an overall understanding of key aspects of disaster preparedness and response.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the “assistance” deployment environment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the range and role of stakeholders in preparedness and response.
 
Skills:
• Apply concepts, standards, principles, and methods of preparedness planning and response operations to case studies. 
• Develop a Preparedness and Response Framework and Plan for a specific case study.
• Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of the existing international preparedness and response systems.

Competences:
• Identify and formulate a relevant and current research question and develop a preparedness and response framework and plan for a case study assignment. 
• Read and critique literature.