Nutrition in Emergencies

Unit code: HMG7420 | Study level: Postgraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
St Albans
Prerequisites
HMG7130 - Nutrition for Global Health
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
HMG7310 - Nutrition Assessment and Program Management
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
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Overview

Humanitarian crises including natural disasters, man made disasters or complex emergencies prevent people from accessing fundamental needs such as shelter, food, water and health care. This unit aligns with the ‘Harmonised Training Package for Nutrition in Emergencies’ developed by the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Global Nutrition Cluster and based on the latest technical policy and guidelines on nutrition in emergencies. This unit is offered by Victoria University as stand alone unit to those with a prior background in nutrition and public health who wish to pursue a career in nutrition in emergencies. Students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to assess the nutrition situation and design and implement emergency programs in response to large-scale and often rapid onset emergencies.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Conceptually map types and causes of malnutrition in emergencies in a variety of local, national and international contexts;
  2. Conduct a nutrition assessment in a simulated emergency using standard tools and methodologies;
  3. Outline and critique interventions used to prevent and treat malnutrition in emergencies;
  4. Design an defend an emergency nutrition intervention based on assessed need in line with national and international minimum standards in emergency response in nutrition; and
  5. Debate current challenges and controversies in nutrition in emergencies.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 20%
Quiz x2 (equivalent to 1000 words each)
Assessment type: Case Study
|
Grade: 40%
Written report on a case study of an emergency nutrition response (2500 words)
Assessment type: Other
|
Grade: 40%
Simulation of nutrition assessment and response in a humanitarian crisis (in groups) (2500 words)

Total word equivalence of combined assessment tasks is approximately 7000 words.

Required reading

The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response,
The Sphere Project, 2011| The Sphere Project

As part of a course

This unit is not compulsory for any specific course. Depending on the course you study, this unit may be taken as an elective.

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