In-person Humanitarian Assistance Course

International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance

Shaping Humanitarian Leaders

The International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA), the flagship program of the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs, is designed to equip mid-career professionals with essential knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex landscape of humanitarian aid and to drive the humanitarian sector of the future in a more effective, sustainable, and dignified direction. Students will develop a holistic perspective on global humanitarian issues to propel them to the next level in their careers, helping them create positive social change both in and out of the field. The IDHA focuses on four core learning objectives that guide students in their professional development:

  1. Humanitarian policy, architecture and Law: understanding the global humanitarian system, the humanitarian environment including key actors and international humanitarian legal frameworks including International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law and Refugee Law.
  2. Humanitarian sectors and standards: gaining knowledge of key humanitarian sectors, such as health, education, shelter and protection while applying international standards and best practices.
  3. Aid worker’s Leadership, team building and well-being: developing leadership skills essential for humanitarian operations, fostering teamwork in challenging environment and ensuring aid worker’s personal health and mental health in complex operational contexts.
  4.  Humanitarian ethical debates and challenges: engaging with the ethical dilemmas and critical challenges in humanitarian work, including dilemmas of neutrality, access, accountability and long-term impact of aid intervention.

For over 28 years, the intensive, four-week residential training of the International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA) has welcomed thousands of humanitarian workers in cities around the world – from Kathmandu to Amman, New York to Pretoria. Unique among other academic training of its kind, the IDHA emphasizes cultural diversity, cooperation, and teamwork. Students join a cohort of diverse and highly qualified aid and development professionals from all over the world.

Directed by alumni practitioners, the IDHA centers around the Ignatian principle of being people for others by enhancing students’ knowledge and skills in complex emergency and protracted crisis intervention. Students are also encouraged to critically examine global humanitarian processes to identify necessary reforms in both the public and private sectors.

The IDHA 63 is run in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network. 

IDHA 63 Bangkok, Thailand

ANNOUNCEMENT


IDHA 63 has been postponed!


Due to unforeseen circumstances involving substantial flooding in Bangkok, Thailand, Fordham’s IDHA 63 program has been postponed to January 31–February 26, 2027.

New Bangkok dates: January 31-February 26, 2027

Application deadline for IDHA 63 is January 15, 2027. We recommend submitting your application as far in advance as possible, however, to give yourself time to prepare your trip to the training location. This includes booking flights, Visa process, and accommodations if applicable.

*IDHA 64 dates & location

May 30 – June 26, 2027

Pretoria, South Africa

*Application coming soon!

More information

Pricing is listed on our FAQs page.

Contact iiha@fordham.edu or (718) 817-5732 for program and application questions.

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Learning Goals

Upon completion of the International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA) program, students will be able to gain:


  1. extensive insight into the needs of people affected by conflict, disaster, and displacement
  2. skills in facilitating cooperation and dialogue between international, governmental, and nongovernmental agencies
  3. awareness and understanding are essential for effective service in emergency and protracted humanitarian crises
  4. opportunities to collaborate and network with colleagues working for diverse range of international, governmental, and nongovernmental humanitarian agencies
  5. the tools to evaluate interventions and identify examples of good practices; and methods for anticipating and preventing humanitarian crises.
IDHA COurse

IDHA Program Highlights


  • Students receive lectures from world-renowned humanitarian experts
  • Presentations, debates, case studies, practical exercises, and scenarios allow for collaborative learning opportunities in a cohort of field-experienced humanitarians
  • Covers a full range of disciplines involved in humanitarian response, including: management, logistics, health, psychology, social sciences, anthropology, communication, agriculture, environment, education, conflict resolution, international law, civil/military relations, security, media, politics, and economics

Course Examples

  • Humanitarian Challenges
  • The Humanitarian Environment
  • Team Building, Motivation, and Management
  • The Humanitarian Reform
  • Sustainable Development Goals
  • Shelter and Camp Management Part I: Displaced living in Urban environment – Shelter experience and registration
  • Ethical behavior Revised Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Workshop
  • Academia in Humanitarian Action
Time table example

Sometimes people work in the humanitarian sector without having a background or a theoretical understanding of everything related to this field. The IDHA gave me all of this. Continue reading her story.

Sarah Bassil, IDHA 61 graduates

Sarah Bassil

IDHA 61, Amman, Jordan

IDHA group project

IDHA Alumni Careers

Our alumni pursue diverse careers across the humanitarian, human rights, development and peacebuilding sectors, working with national and international non-governmental organizations, government institutions and public services, academic and research institutions, and international, regional  and local organizations. These include the United Nations (such as UNHCR, UNICEF, UNRWA, OCHA, WFP and others), the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and other humanitarian and development actors.

Have more questions? Visit our FAQ’s page

Fast Facts

to complete the program 
0 weeks
discounted rate available
Regional
alumni since 1997
0
Cohort Size
25
is two weeks before the program start date. The earlier you submit the better.
Application Deadline

This humanitarian training is for you if:

  • You are ready for an experience and motivated to learn more about the humanitarian sector.
  • You are someone  who is interested in broadening and expand knowledge in the humanitarian sector.
  • You are in your career (humanitarian, non-profit, government, medial, or military) and would like to earn a professional credential in humanitarian assistance.
  • You would like a refresher on current humanitarian events, crises, and knowledge and tools.
  • You are prepared to commit four weeks to an intense training in Bangkok or Pretoria.
  • You would like to meet others from the global humanitarian field.

The curriculum emphasised practical application of a full range of humanitarian action disciplines — from International Humanitarian Law, sector reform, camp management to Sphere Standards. We were kept busy learning the rudiments of the humanitarian trade. To place theory into context, our visit to Mamelodi showcased pioneering advocacy work that integrated the efforts of academia, local NGOs, and citizen leaders. Throughout this intensive learning, we remained reflective practitioners, constantly examining our assumptions and biases. Continue reading Haymond’s story.

Haymond Lam, IDHA 60

Haymond Lam

IDHA 60, Pretoria, South Africa
He currently works as an Environmental Public Health Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency

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The IDHA is run in collaboration with Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts in Sciences.

When you join the IDHA Program at Fordham University you have access to many resources:


  • Conference invitations
  • Virtual Webinars
  • Internship announcements 
  • Networking opportunities within your cohort and the broader IDHA alumni network of 4,500 + humanitarian practitioners. Read their stories on our Medium Blog. 

Fordham University

Fordham University Career Services


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The MIHA is a program of the IIHA at Fordham University

IDHA Information Session

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Holly Curtis

Assistant Provost for Corporate Relations at Fordham University

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hcurtis2@fordham.edu

Holly Curtis is an accomplished education leader, currently serving as the Assistant Provost for Corporate Relations at Fordham University. In this role, she fosters partnerships between academia and industry, driving innovative collaborations and advancing strategic goals. Prior to this, Holly was the Chief of Staff at Ascend Public Charter Schools, where she oversaw strategic planning for one of New York’s largest charter networks, and she also led MBA Admissions at NYU Stern School of Business.
With a strong background in strategic leadership, education management, program development, and recruitment, Holly’s career began in international development with Pencils of Promise in Laos. Her work there shaped her expertise in strategic planning and talent development.

Holly holds an MBA from NYU Stern and a BA in International Political Economy from Fordham University. She is deeply committed to advancing diversity and inclusion, and is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). She is also an alumna of NYU’s Global Inclusive Leadership Management Institute.

Martine van der Does

Helen Hamlyn Humanitarian Fellow and Global Program Director

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Work Location
  • Netherlands and Jordan
m.vanderdoes@fordham.edu
Martine van der Does is a Dutch humanitarian expert with over 20 years of international experience in humanitarian action, diplomacy, policy and education. With a background in architecture, she started her career working on humanitarian shelter at Delft University of Technology before moving into field operations with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) as a Construction Logistician.

In 2010, Martine joined the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she has held various policy, coordination and diplomatic positions, including assignments in Afghanistan and Jordan. She has also worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Myanmar, focusing on protection and water and habitat programmes in remote areas. From Amman, Jordan, she served as Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Netherlands Government, covering humanitarian developments and crises across the Middle East. Martine continues her work with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Strategic Policy Advisor on Humanitarian Affairs.

Alongside her work with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Martine has been involved with Fordham University’s Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) for over 15 years. Since 2024, she has been involved as the Helen Hamlyn Humanitarian Fellow at the IIHA, where she has also held the role of Global Program Director, contributing to the development and delivery of international humanitarian education and training programmes. She has also served as Course Director of the International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA) and lectures at Fordham University and Delft University of Technology.

Martine holds a Master of Science in Architecture from Delft University of Technology and a Master of Arts in International Humanitarian Action from Fordham University.

She co-hosts Corporate Humanity, a podcast produced by Fordham University’s Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs. 

Academic Background

Master of Science in Architecture (MSc) and Master of Arts in International Humanitarian Action (MIHA) and IDHA 24 

With the IIHA since: 2008

Current courses: IDHA and non-academic courses

In my free time I enjoy: Outside of work, Martine is a passionate cyclist and runner who enjoys endurance sports and ultraraces. She is also a qualified sports massage therapist. 

“In a world you can be anything, be kind to yourself and the people you work for and with. ”