Online PDRM program

/in , , , /by

The 2026 online, accredited, Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) program will be facilitated from the 27 July through to the 13 November 2026.

The course is designed for both Australian and international humanitarian and development practitioners, as well as Murdoch University Master level students.  A total of ten topics are on offer, and these are taught on a weekly basis, and in two blocks, from the 27 July to the 16 October 2026. Participants can choose either individual topics or the complete program. Assessments and marking for Murdoch students then takes place over the following month.

The first couple of topics focus in on four key diagrams which help explain the key components of natural hazards and disasters across the Disaster Risk Management Cycle (DRMC). It includes regional examples (one of these being the 2015 Tropical Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu), as well as the roles of maps/infographics and the media.

Topics TC03 and TC04 centre in on the ideal attributes and competencies of humanitarian practitioners, and the challenge for them working within a comprehensive framework of humanitarian standards and codes of conduct. Topics TC05 and TC06 focuses on the Ten Seed Technique (TST) used in Needs Analysis, and analyses how this can be applied to the ISO 31000 risk management process.

Topics TC07 and TC08 focus in on the global overview of Complex Emergencies (CEs).  While these make references to a number of CE examples, they then focus in more depth on a number of these, these including the Rohingya situation in Cox’s Bazar District (Bangladesh); the recovery/ reconstruction process and progress in Gaza; and the current DRC Ebola epidemic (drawing down on lessons from the 2020-2023 COVID-19 pandemic).

Topic TC09 focuses in on the causes and effects of Climate Change, and includes components of Biodiversity Security and Food Security.  Topic TC10 concludes by focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and analysing how these can be adversely affected by combinations of natural disasters, complex emergencies, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, cuts to Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), and the current war in Iran.

The ten topics are.

o             TC01:  Key Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Diagrams & Issues

o             TC02:  Natural Disaster Trends & Case Studies

o             TC03:   Humanitarian Attributes & Competencies

o             TC04:  Humanitarian Standards & Codes of Conduct

0             TC05:  The Ten Seed Technique (TST) Ranking Tool

o             TC06:  Risk Management

o             TC07:  Complex Emergencies

o              TC 08: Complex Emergencies Case Studies

o             TC09:  DRM & Climate Change

o              TC10:  DRM & the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

There are three stages to this online 2026 PDRM:

0             Stage 1 Teaching:  Topics 1-5 from the 27 July to 28 August

o             Stage 2 Teaching:  Topics 6-10 from the 14 September to 16 October

o             Marking of Assignments & Feedback: 19 October to 13 November

The link to the online 2026 PDRM brochure is given below.

Download

The 2026 PDRM Registration Form, which includes details of costs, can be accessed from the link below.

Download

The link to the 2026 PDRM assessment tasks is also given below.  This includes details of the Murdoch University staff who handle Advanced Standing details.

Download

For further details of this online PDRM contact Chris Piper at chris@torqaid.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DRM-Framework

/in , , /by

Over the past two dozen years, TorqAid, with input from practitioners and students, has developed a diagrammatic framework of how key aspects of all disasters can be illustrated by the use of four key diagrams.  This material is covered in an article entitled a ‘Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Diagrammatic Framework’.  This DRM Framework article can be accessed here.

Download

This DRM Framework article focuses on four key diagrams, namely the Disaster Risk Management Cycle (DRMC); the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) diagram; the DRM Planning diagram; and the Project Management Cycle (PMC). There are also variants of the DRMC and DRR relating to slow-onset hazards such as drought and climate change. There is also a variant of the DRMC diagram relating to the 2020-2023 COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a modification of the DRR diagram due to conflict and/or a severe breakdown in governance.  Jpeg copies of these diagrams can be accessed on the TorqAid website at www.torqaid.com/resources.

The DRM framework is also extensively covered in TorqAid accredited Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) training.  This is offered in an online format running from the end of July through to mid November 2026, as well as other PDRM client-based workshops. Details of the online program can be accessed here:

Download

TorqAid Toolkit

/in , , /by

The TorqAid Toolkit is a really useful, practical and easy-to-use resource for the development or humanitarian practitioner, tertiary/secondary student, or other interest individual.  It consists of two sections:

(1)  The accredited TorqAid Participatory Disaster Risk Management (PDRM) training program.  This covers ten topics and can be taught in either a face-to-face workshop, or as an online, format.

(2) Some key TorqAid Resources.  These include seven key items:

  • Personal reflections on Five Key Attributes (5KAs) of a Humanitarian & Development Practitioner
  • A Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Framework article
  • An article on ‘So What is Participatory Project Management (PPM)’?
  • A blog on the Ten Seed Technique (TST) ranking tool
  • Personal reflections on the topic ‘Train Like a Champion’
  • A Global Humanitarian & Development Agency Directory
  • A Global Humanitarian & Development Bibliography.

The link to the Toolkit (updated for January – March 2026) is given below:

Download

Much of this TorqAid Toolkit material is also covered in the 2026 online PDRM training program.  See the link below for this:

Download