• Deakin University

Introduction to Humanitarian Aid

Discover the history of humanitarian aid and the principles and values that underpin it.

25,780 enrolled on this course

Disaster relief parcel

Introduction to Humanitarian Aid

25,780 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

This course is part of the program The Humanitarian World, which is one of the building blocks that leads to a degree in Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action. Find out more.

Explore guiding principles and approaches used by humanitarian teams.

Earthquake, flood, fire, famine, and conflict – we seem to be hearing more about these things every day, and watching as they impact communities all over the world. Fortunately, there are organisations trained and ready to assist communities affected by disasters.

On this course, you will explore the long history of humanitarianism, learning about the important principles and values that underpin it. You’ll also discover how humanitarianism works across the globe, understanding how responses to disasters are coordinated and learning more about the various bodies involved.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 6 seconds Natural and human-induced disasters, or increasingly, a combination of both, can strike populations with little or no warning and have potentially catastrophic results. Whether caused by the earthquake, famine, disease, extreme weather conditions, conflict, or a combination of these, disasters and displacement can have wide-ranging and devastating impacts on entire communities. I’m Associate Professor Phil Connors from Deakin University and the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership. According to the United Nations, the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance has doubled in the past decade.

Skip to 0 minutes and 43 seconds The need for clearly focused and coordinated approaches to disaster management is increasingly important, and addressing the worldwide demand for better preparation, response, and recovery from humanitarian disasters, Deakin University in partnership with Save the Children are pleased to offer you an opportunity to make a difference by participating in its free online course. Examine the codes of conduct associated with disaster management and how various humanitarian response teams come together to work with affected communities. Discover how operations are managed in complex emergencies and how to navigate the relationship between various stakeholders.

Skip to 1 minute and 22 seconds Whether you work in the humanitarian sector or simply have an interest in humanitarian issues, please join me in what promises to be a compelling and thought-provoking learning experience by enrolling in this free online course.

What topics will you cover?

  • The history of humanitarianism
  • The principles and values that underpin humanitarian action
  • Different actors and how the system works
  • Exploring if localisation is the future of humanitarian action

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the history of humanitarianism
  • Identify the key principles and values associated with humanitarian action and management
  • Describe the role of the different actors and their relationship before, during and after a humanitarian response
  • Identify the future of humanitarian action and the role of localisation

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for those working in the humanitarian sector who want to further their understanding of the principles and values of humanitarianism.

It’s also suitable for those with an interest in activism, humanitarian issues, and leadership in the context of humanitarian aid and NGOs.

Who will you learn with?

Nazanin Zadeh-Cummings is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership at Deakin University. Her research interests are North Korea, civil society, human rights, and disaster response.

Adriana is engaged in teaching, training and research in the field of Humanitarian Studies. She completed work placements in academia and the aid sector in Europe, USA, Africa, Australia & Middle East

Who developed the course?

Deakin University

Deakin University is one of Australia’s largest universities with more than 61,000 students and over 15,000 online.

  • Established

    1974
  • Location

    Melbourne, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 280Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

Endorsers and supporters

endorsed by

save the children

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$109/one-off payment

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 2 Apr 2024

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Tests to check your learningticktickcross
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 2 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Advance your career with a degree

Since 2017 you have been able to take a degree on FutureLearn. This free course is a bit like a starter course for a degree — it should give you a flavour of the degree subject but can also be your first step towards a degree qualification.

If you enjoy this course you can apply to join the program it’s part of to start working towards a degree on FutureLearn.

Don’t worry, you can still take the course without doing a full degree!

Do the free course
Join and complete the program
Get academic credit for an online degree from Deakin University
This course is part of the program The Humanitarian World, which is one of the building blocks that leads to a degree in Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action.

Get a taste of this course

Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

You can use the hashtag #FLhumanitarianaid to talk about this course on social media.