Module1
Introduction to Development and Disasters

To understand the entire cycle of disaster management, from disaster risk assessment and disaster risk reduction to disaster response and post-disaster recovery it is essential to understand the broader developmental context in which disasters and disaster management are situated. It requires a wider perspective and a working knowledge of underlying key theoretical and empirical issues relating to growth, development, poverty, inequality, and human development. Significantly the conceptualization of development is itself changing with an increasing emphasis on sustainable development and human well-being, going beyond a simplistic growth and infrastructure-based perspective. The key objective of the course is to equip students to examine basic concepts related to development, including human development and sustainability, in order to understand disasters and meaningful sustainable responses to them.

Module2
Humanitarian Principals, Laws, and Standard in Disaster Management

This module provides a clear understanding of humanitarianism and humanitarian principles underlying the response to natural disasters and conflicts. It highlights the need for accountability and transparency during disaster responses through various practical examples and illustrations. This module covers the basic understanding of the following themes/ key areas:

• Fundamental humanitarian Principles,
• International disaster response law (IDRL),
• International Humanitarian Law (IHL),
• Humanitarian Charter,
• Code of Conduct,
• Articulating the history and evolution of humanitarianism and
• IFRC Strategy 2020.

It provides a foundation by analyzing these key issues and concepts and examining their interrelationship/validity in practice.

Module3
Introduction to Hazards, Vulnerabilities, and Disasters

This module aims to develop a conceptual understanding of hazard, exposure, risk, vulnerability, and disaster. The course explains how vulnerability (internal susceptibility or defencelessness) and hazard (an external event) interact to create disasters. The contents include: Introduction to Risk and Vulnerability, Political, Social and Economic Perspectives of Risk and Vulnerability, Disasters Introduction, Definition and Characteristics, Contributing Factors, Differentiating between Disasters, Potential Impacts of Disasters, Approaches to Disaster Risk and Vulnerability Assessment.

Module4
Disaster Risk Reduction and Development Planning

The objective of the module is to develop knowledge and a critical outlook on the different frameworks, approaches, and methods for disaster prevention, preparedness, and vulnerability reduction which include Conceptual Framework of Disaster Risk Reduction - the Hyogo Framework for Action, DRR Measures (Assessment, Early Warning, Natural Resource Management, Social and Economic Developmental Practices), DRR Planning, Hazard and Risk Reduction Strategies: Objectives of Disaster Risk Reduction, Understanding Resilience, Linking Vulnerability Reduction and Disaster Recovery.

Module5
Geo-informatics and Information Communication Technology in Disasters

Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Geo-informatics Technology (GIT) have been widely used in planning, mitigation, and response in disaster situations. Besides alerting of the crisis ICT can help us in diverse ways some of which includes disaster preparedness through computer, television, radio, HAM radio and community radio, internet, email, mobile, social media, blogging; emergency response applications like distress communication and deploying bio surveillance for critical diseases either in the short or long term, etc. ICT systems are also used for modelling and predicting outcomes based on real data. Remote sensing provides synoptic as well as repetitive coverage of a particular area. GIS helps us to bring the physical, demographic, social, and other information from a real-world system for decision-making in disaster situations. Geo-informatics techniques help us in mapping the hazard zonation, vulnerability, and risk using remote sensing, GIS, GPS, and other secondary information.

Module6
Disaster Response and Recovery - Credits (4)

Disaster response in an important component in disaster management and has emerged as an important field of study in recent years. With the increasing incidence and intensity of disaster events, there is a constant demand from the field for people trained in the basics of disaster response. There is need to have a broad understanding of the multiple stakeholders involved in disaster response and the standards to be upheld in humanitarian aid, relief and rehabilitation and development. This course tries to address these concerns modestly by orienting the participants about various concepts relating to organized Response, Nature and Type of Immediate Response, Disaster Management Plans, Key Response Functions including Public Health, Logistics and Governance, Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Economics and Financial Aspects of Recovery and Reconstruction.

Module7
Term Paper Research and Analysis

The Term Paper requirement is designed to be a unique self-study course for participants to the online certificate programme. This module will enable students to develop necessary research skills expected at the post-graduate level. This module requires students to write an original analytical paper publishable as a working paper based on primary or secondary data. The module is aimed at facilitating the engagement of course participants with quality research. The participants will be encouraged to work closely with a faculty member, who will guide them systematically in selecting and developing a research area, use appropriate methods for data collection, and produce a paper with an analytical framework. Country specific case studies can be taken.

Module8
Internship / Field Practicum

The Internship or Field Practicum in the certificate programme shall enable the participants to develop a broader national and international perspective on disaster management. The overall thrust will be to focus on issue-based work and complex emergencies for a period of 4 weeks. This could be linked to their term paper to enable the deepening of their specialization thrust. It may be based with organizations engaged with high quality research or practical work in the field of disaster risk reduction. It may also be based with any of the UN systems or government structures. Professionals already working in Disaster Management-related organisations (such as IFRC/RCRC) may choose a significant component of their on-going work to convert into a Field Practicum. The participants would need to engage in on-going DRR/Response programmes in respective locations.