Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Humanitarian Contexts

Course
ECTS
7.5
LanguageEnglish
Lecturer(s) Phil Connors
  • Course description

    This unit will be delivered via Cloud (online). It will introduce the concept of risk reduction and management across local and international contexts. It will also include case studies to explore how Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programmes are put into practice as well as the examination of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) outcomes from humanitarian and emergency responses locally and internationally. The unit will include the use of cloud concept presentations, virtual case studies and simulations to examine the issues of disaster preparedness and DRR across different physical and cultural contexts.  Students will also critically examine the role of different stakeholders in pre- and post-disaster phases and the strength of community development-based disaster risk management processes.  Another key component of the learning in this unit will be exploring the role of security and social risk as key components of risk management processes in humanitarian contexts.
  • Main themes

    The 5 modules of this unit will explore:
    1.  Introduction to DRR and DRM and international mechanisms: Highlights linkages between DRR and DRM, analyses the Sendai Framework (and reviews it predecessor the Hyogo Framework) and reviews international DRR bodies. 

    2.  Putting DRR into practice: Over four weeks, this unit will focus on hazard and risk assessments; mainstreaming DRR into policies, strategies, plans and projects; gender, child and disability focused DRR; and measuring DRR programs. 

    3.  Community development-based DRM processes: The strengths of this community based approach. 

    4.  Role of different stakeholders: this week will focus on the different stakeholders you should be engaging 
with during the DRR program cycle to ensure effective and sustainable programming. 

    5.  DRR in different physical and cultural contexts: this module will focus on DRR in urban and conflict 
environments and the key characteristics of each environment with regards to DRR programming.
  • Learning outcomes

    At the completion of this unit, successful students can:
    ULO1: Critically assess and discuss the usefulness and application of global DRR frameworks and make recommendations to enhance future practice
    ULO2: Demonstrate capacity to synthesize contextual vulnerabilities and hazard to inform relevant and appropriate DRR programming
    ULO3: Demonstrate your understanding and capacity debate and challenge issues arising from different DRR perspectives, stakeholders and contexts
    ULO4: Through undertaking research and analysis, critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of DRR and DRM approaches, planning and programming in different countries and contexts and make recommendations to enhance future practice.
  • Teaching and learning methodology

    This unit uses the FutureLearn online learning platform. Learn more about studying through FutureLearn.
  • Assessment methods and criteria

    Journals, 15% each, 750 words x 2
    Group Assignment, 30%, 1500 words
    Online Exercises, 10%, 500 words
    Report, 30%, 1500 words
  • Required reading

    Your unit learning resources are provided via FutureLearn.

Last updated: 6 October 2017

This site uses cookies to enhance user experience and to track usage statistics. For more information, see NOHA’s Data Privacy Policy.