Attending IHL training by ICRC in Beirut

Also, I am now (29 March - 9 April) in Beirut, Lebanon, at the invitation of the ICRC for an intensive course on international humanitarian law. The course covers the following topics: Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), IHL and Human Rights Law, Persons Protected under IHL, Places Protected under IHL, Environmental Protection in the Event of Armed Conflict, IHL and Muslim Law (Shari'a), Means and Methods of Warfare in IHL, Peace Support Operations and IHL, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, The Role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Armed Conflicts, Mechanisms of Respect for IHL and its Implementation at the National Level, Development of International Criminal Justice, IHL and Contemporary Challenges, Case Studies from the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Teaching IHL (Materials and Research Methods).... so plenty of reading and new insight!

International humanitarian law is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.
My stay in Lebanon is also a good opportunity to meet up with the Sphere Lebanon team too, which I did on 5 April.

Disaster Management training at Birmingham University

From end of January to end February I taught Introduction to Disaster Management at Birmingham University again. Besides work in the classroom it also enabled the students to 'get their hands dirty' and do some practicing of some aspects of disaster management.

 

This module introduces participants to the main principles of disaster management. with a focus on disaster response in the developing world. The course will promote the sharing of relevant technical skills and knowledge and will equip participants with adequate analytical skills through developing key understanding of disaster management procedures, needs assessment methods, principles and values, SPHERE standards, working with refugees and IDPs, and adhering to agreed international standards.