HHI Newsletter Fall 2021
On November 23, 2021, HHI's Program on Resilient Communities hosted "Surviving COVID-19 on the Margins: An online symposium on the experience of communities living through the pandemic and social vulnerability in the Philippines." Out of dozens of paper submissions, 9 selected papers were presented at the event.
Publications Highlights
Critical Care Service Delivery Across Healthcare Systems in Low-income and Low-Middle-income countries: Protocol for a Systematic Review

This publication utilizes published literature to describe the availability of critical care systems in low-income countries. This study will allow for the ability to inform public policy and in turn extend service availability to low-income and low-middle-income countries.
Measuring Gender-Based Violence Risk Mitigation in Humanitarian Settings: Results From a Comprehensive Desk Review and Systematic Mapping
Several members from HHI's Program on Gender, Rights and Resilience contributed to the creation of the first mapping review to identify and document current knowledge and approaches used across the humanitarian field to monitor and evaluate gender-based violence (GBV) risk mitigation interventions.
Climate and Migration in East and the Horn of Africa: Spatial Analysis of Migrants’ Flows Data
Researchers from HHI's Humanitarian Geoanalytics Research and Education Program recently released a report on climate variables and migration. It provides new insights on migration flows in the East and Horn of Africa and Yemen and highlights how natural disasters and environmental variables have affected displacement and migration in the region.
Data Collection Critical to Disaster Mitigation
This commentary explores the critical need for research and disaster related data in order to respond to natural disasters in the most effective way possible.
Programs Highlights
Global Executive Leadership Initiative (GELI)
The GELI Program takes leaders on a journey of growth and learning to inspire transformative leadership. During the last week of October 2021, GELI held its first residency. In its current cohort, there are 24 individuals being trained, representing 21 countries.
Harvard Students
HHI hosted two open houses at the beginning of the fall semester. One was dedicated to Harvard students and the second was open to the global community. Last fall, the Humanitarian Studies Concentration welcomed 17 new students. Currently, there are 60 graduate students in the program.

Infectious Disease and Epidemics Program (IDEP)

The IDEP team travels regularly to the Dominican Republic to support the data collection and monitoring for multiple CDC-funded infectious disease research projects. These projects aim to mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and other epidemic-prone pathogens in the region. Devan Dumas, Program Manager, travelled twice to Santo Domingo to follow up on data collection activities for the national serological survey, as well as assist in coordinating the transport of samples from the DR Public Health National Laboratory to Brigham and Women’s. Kathryn Roberts, Epidemiologist, and Michael De St Aubin, Research Specialist, visited the prospective surveillance hospital sites in Moca and San Pedro de Macoris to support the implementation of their newly established alcohol-based hand rub production units, which will provide hand sanitizer to the employees and patients of both hospitals. 
Welcome to the Team!
Bharathi Radhakrishnan, PhD
Program Manager,
Gender, Rights, and Resilience
Laura Tourtellotte, PhD
Program Manager,
Peace and Human Rights Data
Sabrina Sarli
Administrative and Program Coordinator
Student Corner
Brinkley Brown
Intern, Humanitarian Response Intensive Course and Simulation
Skyler Callahan
Intern, Strategic Communications
Joshua Drake
Intern, Emergency Health Systems Program
Webinar Highlights:
Social Impact in Humanitarianism Webinar Series
Ahlan Simsim: Partnering to Educate Children in Humanitarian Crisis

Ahlan Simsim is the Arabic-language version of Sesame Street, bringing playful learning to displaced and refugee children. Through a transformative investment from Lever for Change and an innovative collaboration between the International Rescue Committee and Sesame Workshop, Ahlan Simsim is educating the next generation. This webinar was moderated by Dr. Irini Albanti, the Executive Director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative.
Futures in Humanitarianism Webinar Series
The Future of Forced Migration in the Eastern Mediterranean

This webinar was moderated by Dr. Irini Albanti, the Executive Director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. Esteemed panelists included Minister Notis Mitarachi, Minister of Migration and Asylum in Greece, Ms. Mireille Girard, UNHCR Representative in Greece, and Mr. Gianluca Rocco, Chief of Mission and Regional Response Coordinator at IOM Greece. Panelists discussed the current migration crisis and how their respective organizations are addressing it. They also explored perspectives of the future of forced migration and priorities for the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Join Our Team

We are looking for mission-driven people who want to make a difference in the humanitarian field globally. Check our website for current professional and student opportunities!
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