Georgetown Emergency and Disaster Management Students Complete the Doha Module

From April 27 to May 2, 2014, students working towards their Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM) visited Doha, the capital city of Qatar, for the fourth of five field study experiences in the year-long program. Under the direction of Georgetown faculty and staff, they focused on three key objectives:

• Demonstrate an understanding of international and domestic policies governing U.S. foreign disaster assistance
• Recognize and respond to multi-dimensional incidents, including complex humanitarian and public health emergencies
• Identify and mitigate challenges associated with disabled or delayed aid, supply chain disruption, loss of critical infrastructure and key resources

“It was a life-changing experience to tour the city. In the Souq Waqif market, I felt like I was going on a trip through time. I also found the lectures enlightening, especially when Dr. Holly Franz ran us through a hypothetical infectious disease scenario in the context of World Cup 2022, which will take place in Qatar,” said EDM student Mike Hayashida.

Applied Learning with EDM Thought Leaders

During their six days in Doha, the students had a full schedule of lectures, demonstrations, tours and activities.

Students met Carrie Giardino from the US Embassy in Doha-Qatar. Giardino, an economic officer who also functions as an Alternative Mission Disaster Relief Officer, led a discussion about the role of the Embassy in overseas disasters.

After meeting Dorothy Crossan, a senior official of Qatar’s Supreme Council for Delivery and Legacy, students were asked present creative ideas for engaging Qatar’s private sector in public preparedness, especially in the context of the upcoming 2022 World Cup.

At the College of North Atlantic-Qatar, students took part in an exercise involving a hypothetical oil spill in the gulf and the resulting impact on Qatar’s critical infrastructure and supply chain, including food imports and water desalination.

Dr. Shazia Nadeem, a member of the emergency preparedness team from Qatar’s Supreme Council of Health, spoke to students about Qatar’s emergency health preparedness including past successes, current priorities and future issues of concern.

Meeting with Head of Security for the Qatar National Convention Center, students learned about the safety and security issues associated with one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced convention centers and preparations required to host high-profile events, such as United Nations meetings that have been held in Qatar.

Students visited Ras Laffan Emergency and Safety College to see first-hand the training that first responders receive. They also met Gerry Kelly, Head of Emergency Operations for Qatar Petroleum.

Dr. Holly Franz from Livermore National Laboratory ran the students through an exercise that looked at a hypothetical MERS epidemic during a high-visibility event such the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Middle East Cultural Immersion

In addition to all of the special events related to the EDM curriculum, Georgetown students and staff had the opportunity to explore the thriving and beautiful city of Doha. They tasted the local cuisine, visited the Katara Cultural Village, toured the Museum of Islamic Art and strolled through the traditional Souq Waqif shopping district.

“I was delighted to see Georgetown EDM students so eager to understand the complexities of other cultures,” said Stephen Johnson, an instructor for the program. “They were engaged and inquisitive as they met a number of high-ranking Doha officials to learn about water security, planning for UN events and preparations for World Cup security. Many were impressed at the number of senior female officials, and the incredible advances in public health planning. Outside of the classroom, the students enjoyed sampling the cuisine, markets and cultural museums. Doha is a melting pot of approaches to current and future emergency management challenges. I think the students really appreciated the unique perspectives afforded by this trip.”

More informationEmergency and Disaster Management program