Advanced Training Program On Humanitarian Action's (ATHA) main objective is to foster innovative responses to current challenges to humanitarian protection by capturing new approaches and insights of practitioners through informal, professional exchange, such as tailored research on practitioner questions, interactive briefings on the ATHA portal, focusing on key questions of protection, closed, online workshops on issues of interest, open podcast exchanges.

Harvard Humanitarian Initiative's (HHI) Program on Resilient Communities uses evidence-based approaches to interpret how communities mitigate the impact of disasters. The program takes at its starting point the central role local communities play in disaster preparedness and response as the front line and locus for interactions with local civil society organizations, the private sector, national disaster management agencies, and the international humanitarian community.

The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative's (HHI) Women in War program seeks to investigate and address women's needs in today's most troubled settings. HHI's network of diverse faculty, fellows, and researchers examines pressing issues that impact women's security throughout the world. The projects emphasize the unique vulnerabilities women face in humanitarian settings, including gender-based violence, other forms of exploitation and abuse, and economic insecurity.

Harvard Humanitarian Initiative's (HHI) Peace and Human Rights Data Program conducts research and builds capacity in countries experiencing complex emergencies and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The program trains researchers and uses empirical and mixed research methods to consult, represent, and support survivors of mass violence and disasters. Through the program, HHI works to ensure that the needs of survivors are recognized and acted on by governments, United Nations agencies, and nongovernmental organizations.

Disease outbreaks and epidemics during humanitarian emergencies superimpose a substantial burden on already vulnerable and fragile populations. Displacement of populations, overcrowding, limited access to clean water, disruption of sanitation facilities, and limited access to basic healthcare increase the spread of disease and outbreaks.

The Cogan Family Fund for Humanitarian Studies provides funds for undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard University who are conducting field research related to crisis?affected settings. The fund enables students to obtain international experience and an understanding of the cross?disciplinary nature of humanitarian work. Students interested in advancing research, practice, and policy in the field of humanitarian assistance to populations affected by war, disaster, and other crises are encouraged to apply.

Crisis mapping initiatives, information communication technology, and early warning systems have the potential to prevent mass atrocities, mitigate the effects of natural disasters, strengthen international aid agency coordination, improve resource allocation, develop timely policy, and help us evaluate current humanitarian practices. All of the required technology, data-gathering methods, and analytical frameworks exist currently - with many experts in each area residing at Harvard University.

Rapid urbanization concentrates risks and hazards to health, wellbeing and crises. Urban crises also challenge the humanitarian ecosystem in unprecedented ways necessitating a radical change from business as usual. Yet, this demographic shift opens new opportunities for innovation in program and policy to protect individual and planetary health.