Introduction

In an increasingly volatile world marked by natural disasters, conflicts, and public health emergencies, effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) and humanitarian response are essential competencies for public sector leaders. Governments play a pivotal role in minimizing risk, safeguarding vulnerable populations, and ensuring rapid, coordinated humanitarian action that saves lives and protects development gains.

The Humanitarian Action and Disaster Risk Reduction in Public Sector Training Course is a specialized program designed to enhance the skills of public officials, disaster response managers, and development planners. This course combines global best practices with real-world frameworks to build resilience, promote preparedness, and enable inclusive, data-driven emergency response in the face of mounting climate and humanitarian threats.

Target Audience

• Government officials in disaster and emergency management
• Public health and civil protection officers
• Urban planners and infrastructure safety specialists
• Policy advisors and humanitarian liaisons
• Climate adaptation and resilience professionals
• Local authority disaster risk coordinators
• Development and aid program managers

Course Objectives

• Understand the public sector’s role in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response
• Analyze the link between climate change, conflict, and disaster vulnerability
• Apply global DRR frameworks such as the Sendai Framework and SDGs
• Design inclusive and risk-informed emergency preparedness plans
• Strengthen coordination among national, local, and international stakeholders
• Improve early warning systems and crisis response strategies
• Promote community-based disaster risk governance
• Integrate DRR into public investment and policy decisions
• Enhance monitoring, evaluation, and learning in humanitarian programs

Duration

5 Days

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Risk Governance

• Evolution of global humanitarian and DRR systems
• Institutional mandates and national DRR strategies
• Public accountability and crisis response leadership
• Legal and ethical frameworks for public disaster response
• Risk-sensitive development planning

Module 2: Emergency Preparedness and Contingency Planning

• Scenario analysis and contingency design
• Multi-hazard preparedness frameworks
• Rapid needs assessment and resource mobilization
• Logistics and supply chain readiness
• Ensuring continuity of government services

Module 3: Climate and Conflict-Sensitive Disaster Risk Reduction

• Interlinkages between climate variability, fragility, and risk
• Adaptive DRR strategies in fragile contexts
• Risk governance in conflict-affected areas
• Gender and social inclusion in risk planning
• Resilience-building across sectors

Module 4: Risk Communication and Community Engagement

• Designing public risk awareness campaigns
• Participatory approaches in early warning systems
• Building trust through transparent communication
• Cultural and linguistic considerations in DRR
• Feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement

Module 5: Public Sector Leadership in Crisis Coordination

• Roles of government in multi-agency disaster response
• Incident command systems and coordination centers
• National disaster operations and information systems
• Stakeholder mapping and collaborative platforms
• After-action reviews and institutional learning

Module 6: Integrating DRR into Policy and Public Investment

• Mainstreaming risk into development policy
• Climate-resilient infrastructure and budgeting
• Urban planning and land use regulation for risk reduction
• Financing DRR through national budgets and donor support
• Tools for public policy impact analysis

Module 7: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Humanitarian Accountability

• Key performance indicators in DRR and humanitarian programs
• Tools for real-time data collection and analysis
• Beneficiary feedback and grievance redress mechanisms
• Measuring efficiency, effectiveness, and equity
• Learning systems for adaptive governance

Module 8: Innovation and Technology in Humanitarian Action

• Use of AI, drones, and remote sensing in emergencies
• GIS mapping for risk assessment and response planning
• Digital identity and registration systems in crisis settings
• Data protection and privacy in humanitarian contexts
• Forecast-based financing and predictive modeling

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.