Ms. Nikki Antonette De Vera, a student of Master in Environment and Natural Resources Management (MENRM) Program in the University of the Philippines Open University-Faculty of Management and Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS) received a scholarship to attend the Humanitarian Response Intensive Course (HRIC) under the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) at Harvard University. This rigorous program brings together professionals from across the globe to delve into the complexities of humanitarian aid. The course is part of HHI’s Professional Education track and will take place in April-May 2025 at Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Ms. De Vera is a Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction practitioner with over a decade experience of project management and capacity building in the said fields. Her advocacy for resilience comes with a broad understanding of community-based approaches, sustainable livelihoods framework with thematic focus on disability inclusion, rural development, children’s rights, gender equality, mental health and psychosocial support, emergency response, social enterprise and value chains. She is currently taking the Coastal Resource Management Track of the MENRM while working as an independent consultant.

The course will provide Ms. De Vera with in-depth knowledge of crucial frameworks, including human rights, livelihoods, Sphere standards, and international humanitarian law.  Key areas of focus include personal and team security, rapid needs assessments, and the practical application of minimum standards for essential resources like food security, shelter, and WaSH (water, sanitation, and hygiene). The course will also explore the critical dynamics of interacting with military forces in humanitarian contexts. Her participation in this intensive course underscores her commitment to enhancing her expertise and contributing effectively to humanitarian efforts worldwide and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). 

She noted, “My motivation to apply for the course is due to the fact that the Philippines is a disaster-prone country, vulnerable to many hazards year in and year out. Studying MENRM has helped me get an in-depth understanding of how the abuse of natural resources could lead to disasters that endanger human lives. As a humanitarian, the HRIC will be a great contribution to my academic and professional undertakings, and I hope that this experience would help me contribute to the Sustainable Developments Goals in my own little way.”

For more information about the course

https://hhi.harvard.edu/professional-education

https://hhi.harvard.edu/humanitarian-response-intensive-course

Written by: Nikki Antonette De Vera, • Edited by: Asst. Prof. Karl Abelard Villegas &  Larry N. Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals

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