International Disaster Response Law Project

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International Disaster Response Law Project
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Victoria Bannon
• IDRL Coordinator, Geneva

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What is the IDRL Project?
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Research project
• International law
• International disaster response
• Natural and technological disaster

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Motivation for IDRL Project
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Global networks and experience
• Reducing the vulnerability of disaster affected
  populations
• Responding to challenges in international
  disaster response

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Project history
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Bringing the issues to the attention of the
  international community
• Developing a work plan for the International
  Federation

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IDRL Work plan 2002-2003
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Research existing law
• Identify strengths and weaknesses of existing law
• Present findings and recommendations for future
  work

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Aims of IDRL Project
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Reduce vulnerability and suffering
• Improve international disaster response
• Strengthen legal framework by
• Building the knowledge base
• Facilitating better implementation
• Advocating for improvements

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What is the scope of IDRL?
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• IDRL body of law
• IDRL Project
• Types of instruments
• Areas covered
• Relevant areas of law

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Current progress of the IDRL Project
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies
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Research nature and scope of existing law
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Collecting documents
• Regional research
• CD ROM

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Research effectiveness of existing law
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Field studies in different regions
• Interviews with personnel
• Identify key legal challenges in the field

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Analysis of strengths and weaknesses of existing
law
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Consult the experts
• Publish book
• Report on findings

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Consultation and advocacy
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Consultations with different sectors
• Presentations, Discussions,Workshops
• Acknowledgement and recognition

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Findings so far Legal Research
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Study of treaty law
• Research in Southern Africa
• Review of available materials

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Findings so far Field Studies
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Literature review
• Headquarters interviews
• Perspectives from the field

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Findings so far Consultations
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement
• Governments
• Other organisations

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Future of the IDRL Project?
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Outcomes of International Conference, December
  2003
• Endorsement of importance and need for IDRL
• Further studies
• Actions for strengthening existing law

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Future of IDRL?
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• Agenda for international community
• Understanding and meeting existing obligations
• New law?

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More information
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies

• www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/idrl/