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Global Development Consultancy, Training & Resources

 

What is TorqAid

We’re a participatory humanitarian practice which focuses in on Consultancy work, Training and Research, and our website illustrates these three complementary areas.  On this Home Page we’d briefly like to summarise what we think are our five key Strengths.  Firstly, like many of our contemporary colleagues, we combine a rich experience of overseas humanitarian work, and Chris is able to combine this with Emergency Management work in Australia.  We also have a small cadre of experienced Global Humanitarian Practitioners (GHPs) with whom we share advice and ideas. Secondly, disasters are complex events, and over the years we believe there are patterns to these which can be best expressed in four key diagrams. A DRM Framework article explaining this can be found in our Resources Page. Thirdly, we’ve incorporated this experience into a Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) training program, which is delivered in both workshop and online formats.   Fourthly, in addition to the DRM Framework article, we’ve developed, and update quarterly, both a Global Humanitarian and Development Bibliography and a similar Aid Directory.  Fifthly, we genuinely endeavour to make our work’ participatory’.  We regularly fine-tune our key diagrams from comments made by field practitioners and students.  We also use a modified version on the Ten Seed Technique (TST), a fabulous ranking tool, to dig down deep into hearing and understanding a community’s strengths and challenges.

  • Consultancy

  • Training

  • Resources

HUMANITARIAN TRAINING 2023

TorqAid has been facilitating accredited Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) and Participatory Project Management (PPM) workshops since 2002, both across Australia and overseas.  An online accredited PDRM course (running from mid July through to October) has also been running since 2016. Our 2023 PDRM training program has been reviewed, and this can be taught both as a workshop, and as an online course.  The PDRM consists of 7 topics, and, when accompanied by three assignment questions, is given Advanced Standing towards a number of Development Studies courses offered by a Western Australian university.

 

Humanitarian Consultancy & Advisory Services

The TorqAid Director currently has worked as a humanitarian consultant, adviser and researcher for a number of agencies across Australia and overseas.  His clientele has included NGOs, UN agencies, Government Departments, and other stakeholders.  His work has included involvement in both natural hazards and complex emergencies/crises, across the Disaster Risk Management Cycle.

Latest News

Online PDRM program

Our 2023 online, accredited, Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) program is running from mid July. Stage 1 which comprises the teaching of the seven key topics, runs from the 17 July until the end of August. Stage 2, which consists of follow-up work and assignments (for those seeking Advanced Standing) continues through to the end of November. Details of the PDRM brochure, Registration Form and Assignment details can be accessed here.

DRM-Framework

The ‘Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Diagrammatic Framework’ article covers the four key TorqAid diagrams (DRMC, DRR, DRM Planning, PMC) which help explain and clarify humanitarian disasters. Following Tropical Cyclone (TC) Mocha in May 2023, involved stakeholders (eg community groups, government agencies, NGOs, UN agencies) in both Myanmar and Bangladesh will be working through the Emergency Response & Recovery Stages of the Disaster Risk Management Cycle (DRMC). This DRM framework is covered in Topics 1 & 2 of the online, accredited, TorqAid PDRM program (see TorqAid Home & Training Pages).

TorqAid Toolkit

The TorqAid Toolkit has now been updated to cover the period April-June 2023. This includes details of the 2023 TorqAid PDRM training program, as well as key useful resources including a Global Humanitarian & Development Agency Directory and a Global Humanitarian and Development Bibliography.

Humanitarian Training

Our main humanitarian training focuses around the accredited Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) program.  This can be delivered in two ways, either as a 3-5 day workshop, or as on online course for clients.  An online program will also be taught from mid July through to October 2023, with weekly Zoom teaching sessions at 8pm Melbourne time. Seven topics in all are covered in the PDRM.  See the Training Page for more details.

Resources

The TorqAid Toolkit is a fantastic compendium of humanitarian and development resources for both the practitioner and interested individual.

Student Resources

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.