Responding to Emergencies

Find general guidelines as well as information about health and medical interventions in emergencies.

General Guidelines

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 

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Health/Medical Interventions 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 

Find links to websites providing information on current emergencies, travelers’ health and security information, and resources covering issues such as water and sanitation, migrant health and mental health.

Current Emergencies

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)

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Travelers’ Health and Security Information

Travelers’ Health 

US Department of State

WHO – Capacity Building on Humanitarian Health Action

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Water and Sanitation

WHO: Updated Technical Notes on WASH in Emergencies

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Migrant Health

WHO/UN Human Rights/International Organization for Migration – International Migration, Health and Human Rights 

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Mental Health

Americares Self-Care Guidebook for Frontline Workers

Americares 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

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Training Courses

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

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Other Resources

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