The course covers a wide range of essential topics. It begins with a thorough examination of various disaster situations and preparedness for such disasters, highlighting their unique challenges and impacts on health systems. Development programs, which play a crucial role in post-disaster recovery, will also be covered, alongside cross-cultural awareness, which is essential when working in diverse environments. Moreover, gender-based and sexual violence is another key focus, given its prevalence in crisis situations, as well as the significance of addressing mental health challenges in disaster response.

The course will also address how effective working relations and donor coordination are pivotal in the field, especially in ensuring efficient aid distribution and management. A major theme will be the transition from relief to development, with a close look at how humanitarian aid can be integrated into longer-term development efforts. Additionally, participants will engage with applied epidemiology, particularly in relation to needs assessment, as well as relief planning, to ensure that response strategies are data-driven and well-targeted.