Health Emergencies in Large Populations (H.E.L.P)

The goal of HELP is to approach the needs of disaster-affected populations with a public health lens. The course will equip participants with the basic skills and competencies to enable them to respond to the public health needs of populations in humanitarian situations. Topics will be covered both through recorded modules prior to the course and live sessions which will build on the recorded materials. 

Providing assistance begins with understanding the background, underlying causes, context, and current dynamics that cause populations to have health vulnerabilities in emergencies. Building on this, the course will include the topics listed below:

• Disaster planning
• International Health Regulations
• Structure of humanitarian assistance
• Disease management
• Epidemiology of disasters
• Shelter in emergencies
• Water and sanitation in emergencies
• Causes of Conflict
• Nutrition in emergencies
• Mission of the ICRC
• Food security and livelihoods
• Reproductive health
• International Humanitarian Law
• Delivery of health services
• Natural Disasters
• Mental Health in Emergencies
• Personal Security

The 2-week workshop will also include a one-day simulation, during which acquired skills and knowledge can be applied.  

At the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the essential issues related to public health, health care, management, law, and ethics that are associated with humanitarian action, and methods to address them.
• Analyze health and other humanitarian needs using a multidisciplinary approach that takes into consideration the perceptions, vulnerabilities, and capabilities of the people affected.
• Plan, manage, and evaluate activities in response to major humanitarian crises.

All healthcare and public health professionals working in health emergencies and humanitarian assistance will benefit from attending this workshop.

The virtual HELP workshop (January)

The virtual HELP workshop began during the pandemic using Zoom technology, and now will be offered every January (The Summer July HELP courses will be in person). The virtual workshop has the same structure and instructors as in the Baltimore on-site workshop. Group work continues to be an important part of the course. 

A basic requirement is that all participants have adequate internet connectivity to actively participate through Zoom and to be able to view the PowerPoints and videos that are part of the workshop materials.

The January virtual HELP workshop has two parts, the online recorded (asynchronous) lectures to be completed in the 4 weeks before the virtual HELP workshop starts and the 2 weeks of attendance in the virtual (synchronous/’live’) HELP workshop.

Before the workshop, participants will complete a series of online preparatory class modules requiring approximately 10-12 hours and completed at their own pace. A quiz at the end of these modules will assure you that you have mastered the basic materials to begin the live virtual workshop through Zoom.

Participants must make time to complete the online recorded lectures before the virtual HELP workshop starts. During the interactive virtual live sessions, participants will participate in case studies, discussions, lectures, and exchange of experiences with colleagues, as well as apply the skills learned through the online courses. Problem-solving and group exercises will be done in group sessions. The virtual live part will require 6–6.5 hours of your full attention every day for both lectures and group work. In addition, it will take you 2–3 hours to prepare for the next day’s sessions. This is not a workshop to take while continuing your regular work. The virtual session in 2026 runs from 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (U.S. Eastern time) to allow people from many time zones to participate. There will be breaks between the sessions, so you can have tea or coffee or grab a snack, and one longer (30 min) nutrition break.

The in-person HELP workshop (July)- NOW CHANGED TO VIRTUAL (ONLINE)

****The in-person HELP workshop (July) has now been changed to a virtual course, as many prospective overseas participants were unable to secure US visas.

Before joining the HELP workshop, you must complete a series of online preparatory (asynchronous) class modules requiring approximately 10-12 hours and completed at your own pace.  A quiz at the end of these modules will assure you that you have mastered the basic materials. Participants must make time to complete the online (asynchronous) recorded lectures before the virtual HELP workshop starts.

During the July 2025 virtual workshop, participants will participate in case studies, discussions, lectures, and exchange of experiences with colleagues, as well as apply the skills learned through the online modules. Problem-solving and group exercises will be done in group sessions, which will be managed by Zoom. The HELP workshop will require your full attention every day for both lectures and group work. This is not a workshop to take while continuing your regular work. The virtual session in 2025 runs from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on July 14-25.

A limited number of scholarships are available to cover some of the course fees for participants from low- and middle-income countries for both the virtual and the in-person courses. **Unfortunately, all of these workshop scholarships have now been awarded.

Course Fees and Scholarships

The HELP course is offered for 5 JHU credit hours. The costs for both academic credit and non-academic credit can be found on the School's tuition and fees page. Tuition fees are also explained in the HELP Application under “Type of Registration.”

How to Apply?

• Send an email to the HELP Course Coordination Team at helpcourse.jhsph@gmail.com expressing your interest in the Summer 2025 course.
• Fill out the application found  here: HELP 2025 Application
• Submit the completed application form along with your CV to the HELP team via email.

​Contact the HELP Course Coordination Team if you have any questions not covered on the website.