Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management Studies at CDU

Huge congratulations to our HEDM alumna, Melanie Raire, on this well-deserved spotlight for World Humanitarian Day! 🌟

We are incredibly proud to see our alumni making a lasting, long-term impact where it matters most. Read her inspiring journey below! 👇

Visit the Charles Darwin University HEDM Studies booth at the AFAC Exhibition in Melbourne. Today is the final day.

Simulation augmented tactile models for disaster response training and community engagement. Come visit on 20 Aug 2026, 11:10 - 11:30 at the AFAC expo in Melbourne. CDU’s Landscape Knowledge Visualisation Lab develops simulation-augmented tactile spaces that support knowledge exchange, training, and collaborative decision-making. In collaboration with CDU’s Humanitarian Emergency and Disaster Management studies program, the presentation will demonstrate how interactive and intuitive platforms, such as the development of a large-city-based simulation environment to support Emergency and Disaster Management training and preparedness, can help participants explore options for reducing the impacts of fire and other disasters.https://www.afacconference.com.au/solutions-theatre-progam

📢 FREE PUBLIC SEMINAR – INTERNATIONAL JAMBOREE 2026

The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani (FK Unjani) proudly invites you to join the International Jamboree 2026 Public Seminar. This event brings together distinguished national and international experts to discuss Urban Disaster Risk, Emergency Medicine, Public Health, and Disaster Preparedness.

Take this opportunity to gain valuable insights, broaden your knowledge, and connect with participants from around the world—all free of charge.

🗓️ Date: Saturday, August 15th, 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM (GMT+7 / WIB)
💻 Platform: Zoom Meeting (Online)
🎟️ Registration Fee: FREE

📝 Register now by scanning the QR code on the poster. The Zoom meeting link will be sent to all registered participants via email prior to the event.

For further information:
📞 dr. Hindun: +62 812 9819 2042
📞 Anita: +62 813 2176 8752

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from leading experts in disaster and emergency medicine. We look forward to see you.

Building Frontline Capability: CDU’s Immersive Humanitarian Intensive (HCS261) Delivers Real-World Disaster Training

The Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management (HEDM) team has officially wrapped up HCS261 Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice, a two-week intensive unit held at the Casuarina campus from 13 to 24 July 2026. https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/commitment-saving-lives-cdu-humanitarian-aid-students-start-two-week-humanitarian-intensive-unit

Designed for Bachelor of Humanitarian Aid and Development students, this practice-based intensive combined high-level academic theory with immersive emergency simulations, field trips, and direct mentorship from experienced professional disaster response practitioners and leaders. This unit serves as a compulsory in-person requirement for students in accordance with professional accreditation standards through Community Work Australia (CWA). Demonstrating the national significance and broad appeal of CDU's humanitarian offerings, several interstate students travelled to Darwin to complete the intensive. Working side-by-side with a large international cohort throughout the entire two weeks, the 87 students brought diverse perspectives from across Australia and the region, building strong peer networks and shared commitments to professional practice.

A defining highlight of the intensive was the transformation of the CDU Basketball Court into a fully functioning, simulated emergency evacuation centre, students got hands-on experience in, erecting shelters, establishing registration flows, managing resource distribution, and coordinating crowd dynamics.

Throughout the 10-day program, students trained alongside world-leading humanitarian organisations and disaster response agencies.
During an operational field trip to the NCCTRC Headquarters, students gained rare behind-the-scenes access to disaster logistics, warehousing, and deployable emergency shelters. Professor Len Notaras AO, Executive Director of the NCCTRC, personally welcomed the CDU students to the facility and highlighted the vital importance of this training initiative, emphasising the strong strategic collaboration between CDU and the NCCTRC in building regional disaster response capabilities.

As part of the world’s largest humanitarian movement, Australian Red Cross Emergency Services team members led an intensive, hands-on workshop and evacuation simulation. Drawing on their extensive history and frontline operational expertise in the, Red Cross facilitators provided students with guidance on disaster management arrangements in the Northern Territory

RedR Australia experts facilitated intensive workshops covering key technical sectors, including WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), shelter, and logistics, culminating in a dynamic, full-day disaster simulation exercise. Students managed evolving inter-agency scenarios, rapid needs assessments, and donor presentation briefings under high pressure.

The Northern Territory faces distinct vulnerability to extreme weather events, tropical cyclones, and remote emergency isolation. By embedding practical, site-based disaster infrastructure training directly into the curriculum on campus, HEDM is actively building a resilient, deployment-ready local workforce capable of stepping straight into Northern Territory emergency management and recovery roles.

Beyond immediate skill acquisition, the HCS261 intensive serves as a strong foundation for students' upcoming professional practice placements. By mastering hands-on operational tasks, such as rapidly establishing and managing emergency evacuation shelter facilities, students gain direct, practical confidence before stepping into frontline placement environments. This realistic preparation ensures students are workforce-ready to support emergency management agencies during actual crisis responses, including staffing and coordinating local evacuation centres during Northern Territory flood events and major seasonal emergencies.
https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/cdu-students-join-disaster-relief-efforts-following-flooding

Come and view the presentation on "Simulation Augmented Tactile Models for Disaster Response Training and Community Engagement" at the AFAC Conference in Melbourne 20-Aug-2026 from 11:10 – 11:30. https://www.afacconference.com.au/solutions-theatre-progam

CDU Humanitarian Aid students recently completed a two-week intensive, gaining hands-on experience in disaster response alongside leading humanitarian organisations. The immersive program challenged students to apply their skills in realistic scenarios, preparing them to respond when communities need it most.

Visit the Charles Darwin University Stand to discover how our Humanitarian, Emergency, and Disaster Management Studies (HEDM) programs can advance your career and strengthen your organisation's operational readiness.

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National emergency warning test on mobile phones across Australia.

National test | ausalert At the time of the test, a single Critical AusAlert test will be sent to every mobile device in Australia. Everyone with a compatible phone or other device in Australia can expect to receive the alert.