Harvard Humanitarian Initiative

The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative is proud to announce that Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 HHI Elisabeth B. Weintz Humanitarian Award.

The award recognizes MSF’s extraordinary commitment to delivering lifesaving medical care to people affected by conflict, disaster, epidemics, and displacement around the world.

At a time when humanitarian systems face increasing strain, MSF continues to provide independent, impartial, and needs-based care in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Their work serves as both a lifeline for affected communities and a powerful reaffirmation of humanitarian principles.

HHI looks forward to welcoming Dr. Mohamed Javid Abdelmoneim to Harvard in October 2026 to accept the award on behalf of MSF and speak with the Harvard community.

Learn more about MSF’s work: https://www.msf.org/

New research from Yvonne Su and other collaborators explores the lived experiences of Venezuelan trans women refugees in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines how pandemic-related restrictions and longstanding discrimination created significant barriers to employment, housing, and well-being — ultimately pushing many participants toward s*x work as a means of survival. At the same time, the research highlights the innovative strategies participants developed to navigate risk, support one another, and adapt during crisis.

The paper is based on interviews with 18 Venezuelan trans women refugees and offers important insight into the intersections of displacement, gender identity, economic exclusion, and resilience.

Read the full study here:
https://hhi.harvard.edu/publication/working-pages-entrepreneurship-strategies-venezuelan-trans-women-refugees-who-enter-s*x

This week: How are the front lines of global disaster and humanitarian response faring one year after the dismantling of USAID?
Watch online, 10 am ET, May 7: https://hsph.me/HumanitarianAssistance

Applications are now open for the 2026 Urban Humanitarian Emergencies Course (UHEC) 📢

This year, UHEC is heading outside of Harvard for the first time and will be hosted in Bengaluru, India 🇮🇳

Join us July 7–10 for an in-person course bringing together leading practitioners and faculty to explore the complexities of humanitarian response in urban settings.

🎓 Scholarship opportunity
A limited number of scholarships (up to 50% off course fees) are available for up to 10 participants, supported by HowWeSurvive.

🗓 Application deadline: May 20, 2026
Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly.

🔗 Apply here: https://hsph.me/uhec2026
We’re excited to expand the global reach of UHEC and deepen conversations at the intersection of urbanization and humanitarian response.

We are proud to mark the successful completion of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative's 21st field simulation at Harold Parker State Forest. On May 3rd, 83 participants came together for an immersive, hands-on learning experience unlike any other — united by a shared commitment to advancing humanitarian response around the world. Our participants included:

- 53 graduate students from Harvard University, Tufts University, and MIT
- 30 students from the Humanitarian Response Intensive Course
- Learners representing 27 countries across the globe
- 121 volunteers from over a dozen countries

Simulations like this are at the heart of HHI's mission. They bridge the gap between theory and practice, challenging future humanitarian leaders to think critically, collaborate under pressure, and respond with both competence and compassion.

To every participant who traveled — near and far — to take part: thank you! You are the next generation of humanitarian response. To all of your new and returning volunteers: we appreciate you. The simulation could not have happened without you.

Harvard Humanitarian Initiative recently welcomed Dr. Hanan Balkhy of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean for a discussion on regional health priorities and opportunities for collaboration.

The conversation included an overview of ongoing work, key challenges across the region, and areas where partnership can help strengthen health systems and humanitarian response efforts.

We’re grateful for the exchange and look forward to continued collaboration.

Global Humanitarian and Disaster Management: One Year After the Dismantling of USAID

Join the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative for a discussion on the state of humanitarian response and disaster management one year after the dismantling of USAID.

📅 May 7, 10 AM EST
🔗 Watch and learn more here:
https://hsph.harvard.edu/events/global-humanitarian-and-disaster-management-one-year-after-the-dismantling-of-usaid/

💡 We’re excited to continue the HHI Spotlight Series, highlighting members of our community and the impactful work they are leading around the world. This Spotlight features Sumina Suwal!

Sumina Suwal is a Master’s candidate in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University’s Heller School. Her work bridges energy policy, geospatial analysis, and macroeconomic governance to better understand how systems of power shape development and human security.

Her undergraduate research offered a comparative policy analysis of U.S. and Chinese renewable energy frameworks, examining how subsidies, carbon pricing, and trade protections influence global supply chains, industrial competitiveness, and geopolitical dynamics in the energy transition. She has collaborated with government bodies, think tanks, and academic institutions across South Asia, Europe, and the United States on climate adaptation, foreign investment policy, and technology infrastructure.

At HHI, Sumina contributes to research on conflict prevention through geospatial analysis and early warning systems, helping develop data-driven approaches to anticipate and mitigate crises.

🔗 View Sumina Suwal’s full bio: https://hhi.harvard.edu/people/sumina-suwal

📢 UHEC is Coming to Bengaluru, India
📩 Registration is now OPEN! 🟢

This year we are bringing the Urban Humanitarian Emergencies Course to Bengaluru, India from July 7 to July 10, 2026! All the core faculty, Ronak Patel, from Boston University, David Sanderson from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, Erica Nelson from Harvard Medical School, and new this year, Anshu Sharma from SEEDS are thrilled to bring this course to Bengaluru and expand its reach. This is the first time the course will be offered outside of Harvard's campus.

➡️ Please follow this link to register: https://hsph.me/uhec2026

Seats will fill up fast. We hope to see you there!