Global Development Consultancy, Training & Resources
(Photo: Anglican Overseas Aid/Iuma Bani)
What is TorqAid
We’re an Australian-based global humanitarian and development consultancy which has operated since 1992. We offer a range of humanitarian consultancy and advisory services; Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) and Participatory Project Management (PPM) training; and humanitarian research. Our two Directors are Chris and Marilyn Piper, both experienced Global Humanitarian and Development Practitioners, who have, between them, worked in the Asian-Pacific, Eastern and Southern African, Central American, US, European and Australian regions.
PARTICIPATORY DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT (PDRM) & OTHER TRAINING 2020
Since 1992 TorqAid has facilitated over 40 accredited Disaster Risk Management (DRM), as well as 65 Participatory Project Management (PPM) workshops, across Australia and overseas. From early 2019, the DRM was renamed ‘Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM)’ . Complementary to the PDRM and PPM workshops are a series of Short Courses (SCs), as well a new ‘Train like a Champion’ (TLC) program.
The training materal for the PDRM and PPM workshop, SCs, and TLC program can all be found on the Training Page link.
Humanitarian Consultancy & Advisory Services
The TorqAid Director currently works as Global Humanitarian Adviser (GHA) for a small number of agencies. Over and above this, consultancy work relating to the preparation for; response to; and recovery from, a range of hazards and potential disasters is also on offer.
Latest News
Coronavirus
This post on the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic includes a ‘one-pager’ (version # 5) on the latest global information as produced by the WHO, John Hopkins University (JHU), the BBC, and (for vulnerable countries), ACAPS. Also included are the Australian Federal Government’s Department of Health, the Victorian Government’s Department of Health & Human Servces (DHHS), and the ABC. .
Understanding Rohingya Crisis
By late March 2020, the Government of Bangladesh, supported by the international community, continues to provide appropriate support and assistance for the 855,000 refugees (as well as 440,000 Bangladeshi host community members) across Cox Bazar District in Bangladesh. TorqAid produces both an ‘Understanding the Rohingya Crisis’ Summary Sheet, as well as an overview of the ‘What Matters?’ humanitarian bulletin on feedback from Rohingya refugee and Bangladesh host communities.
Bushfires
The 2019/20 Australian bushfire season has been unprecedented in its intensity and geographical spread. Chris has subsequently both prepared an article on bushfires for the Geography Teachers Association of Victoria’s (GTAV), and also done some Bushfire Recovery Adviser (BRA) work for a major church agency in the east of the state.
Training
Three main types of training are offered, namely those below. See the Training Page for more details:
- Accredited PDRM and Participatory Project Management (PPM) workshops for clientele across Australia or overseas
- A two day ‘Train Like a Champion’ (TLC) workshop, and three day ‘Humanitarian Train Like a Champion’ (HTLC) workshop (see Latest News on this page for more details)
- Short training sessions on the five key modules covered in the PDRM for stakeholders such as NGOs, government departments, universities, schools, faith-based organisations, and businesses.
Resources
The TorqAid Toolkit is a fantastic compendium of humanitarian and development resources for both the practitioner and interested individual.
Blog Post Categories
Humanitarian Issues
The first three modules of the Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) program focus on Key DRM Issues; Recent Global Disasters; and Risk Management. Articles from around the world relating to these will be included in this blog.
Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
Module 5 of the accredited Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) program relates to Complex Humanitarian Emergencies (CHEs). The key emphasis here will be the Rohingya Situation of Concern, as well as the Severe Humanitarian Crises in Syria, the Yemen, and Afghanistan.
Participatory Project Management
Module 4 of the accredited Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) program focuses on practical issues such as the Project Management Cycle (PMC); the Project Design Document (PDD); and fantastically useful participatory tools such as the Ten Seed Technique (TST) and the Seasonal Calendar.