RedR Australia’s Essentials of Humanitarian Practice training course teaches you everything you need to know about working within the modern humanitarian system and what it takes to respond to an international humanitarian crisis that involves a global response.

On this six-day residential training course, you will learn the complexity of the international humanitarian relief system and the legal framework for humanitarian assistance. We will introduce you to the characteristics of natural hazards, conflict-induced emergencies, and the requirements for an effective humanitarian response, highlighting some of the dilemmas faced by humanitarians and aid workers.

During the training, you will learn about the various United Nations agencies that respond to disasters and the roles these agencies play in coordinating responses for various sectors such as health, water and sanitation and logistics.

You will discover how international non-government organisations work with these agencies to share information and data, to avoid duplication and ensure humanitarian aid reaches those who need it without causing harm.

We give you the opportunity to put the knowledge you gain into practice and to explore the team skills required to work effectively in the field.

Who is this course for?

The Essentials of Humanitarian Practice course is suitable for people of all backgrounds, skills and levels of humanitarian experience.

If you are considering a career in the humanitarian sector and want to know if it is right for you, this course will give you a greater understanding of what it takes to be a humanitarian.

If you are a technical specialists already in the humanitarian and development sector, in government or work for an NGO, this course will give you a deeper understanding humanitarian foundations, coordination mechanisms and emerging issues and trends.

This course has run for more than 20 years with participants from many backgrounds and stages in their careers. You will have the chance to network with a wide range of different people and learn more from their professional journeys.

The course is in English and you need to have a reasonable proficiency of the English language.

Find out if this course is right for you. Contact our training team for more information - training@redr.org.au

Contact the host of Essentials of Humanitarian Practice (EHP), May 2025