Helping people affected by disasters, conflict or other crises requires special considerations. Working in a disaster zone or responding to emergencies requires special considerations for a medical outreach team. This section includes general guidelines for humanitarian response in emergencies as well as tools and resources with information on current emergencies. Additional information is provided for specific health and security concerns.
Humanitarian Accountability Framework
International Committee of the Red Cross: Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Preparing for Disasters/Disaster and Crisis Management/Responding to Disasters
The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response
WHO: Selection of Medicines in Emergencies
Harvard Humanitarian Initiative: Best Practice Guidelines on Surgical Response in Disasters and Humanitarian Emergencies
WHO Humanitarian Health Action
Emergency Response Framework
Technical Guidelines in Emergencies
WHO-PAHO Guidelines for the Use of Foreign Field Hospitals in the Aftermath of Sudden-Impact Disasters
Americares
CDC – Health Alert Network
Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
Relief Web
Relief Web Labs (useful for volunteers or interest after a disaster, projects explore new and emerging opportunities to improve information delivery to humanitarians)
Travelers’ Health
US Department of State
WHO – Capacity Building on Humanitarian Health Action
WHO: Updated Technical Notes on WASH in Emergencies
WHO/UN Human Rights/International Organization for Migration – International Migration, Health and Human Rights
Americares Self-Care Guidebook for Frontline WorkersAmericares Psychological First Aid (PFA) (Ukrainian)
Americares Prevention of Emotional Burnout for Humanitarian Workers (Ukrainian)
Americares Prevention of Emotional Burnout for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Workers (Ukrainian)
Americares Understanding War Trauma (Ukrainian)
National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health – Pediatric Children’s Psychosocial Needs in Disasters (David J Schonfeld, MD, FAAP)
Training Manual for Mental Health and Human Service Workers in Major Disasters
UN High Commissioner for Refugees/WHO – Mental Health of Refugees
WHO Humanitarian Health Action: IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
World Bank Book of Best Practices – Trauma and the Role of Mental Health in Post-Conflict Recovery
American College of Emergency Physicians EMS and Disaster Preparedness
Federal Emergency Management Agency Community Emergency Response Team Basic Training Participant Manual
Federal Emergency Management Agency Independent Study Courses
Federal Emergency Management Agency National Preparedness Directorate National Training and Education Division
Global Health Emergency Medicine/Toronto General Hospital Teaching Modules
IFRC Introduction to International Disaster Response Laws, Rules, and Principles
Relief Web Humanitarian Training Programs
WHO and Coursera Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers
American Academy of Pediatrics – Pediatric Education in Disasters Manual (English and Spanish)
Emergency Medical Services for Children – Pediatric Disaster Triage
In the Eyes of Others: How People in Crises Perceive Humanitarian Aid (MSF-USA)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Introduction to Disaster Preparedness
The Brookings Institute – Natural Disaster Resources
United Nations Population Fund – Shelter from the Storm: A transformative agenda for women and girls in a crisis-prone world