Humanitarian engineering involves the application of engineering or engineering principles to improve the well-being of marginalized people and disadvantaged communities, usually in the developing world. Humanitarian engineering typically focuses on programs that are affordable, sustainable, and based on local resources. Radiation oncology is a medical speciality that involves the controlled use of radiation to treat cancer either for cure, or to reduce pain and other symptoms caused by cancer. Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is the term used to describe the actual treatment delivered by the radiation oncology team.

This book provides a foundation for Humanitarian engineering, reflecting radiation oncology principles within a global health context.