International disaster response laws, rules and principles IDRL

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International disaster response laws, rules and
principles (IDRL)
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Brief history of the IDRL Project

• IDRL The laws, rules and principles applicable
  to international disaster response
  
• Began as the International Disaster Response Law
  Project
  
• Aimed to improve speed and effectiveness of
  international disaster response operations
  
• Resolution of the Council of Delegates 2001
  requested International Federation, with support
  of National Societies, to
  
• Compile and publish existing international laws
  and regulations applicable to international
  disaster response
  
• Advocate for development and where applicable
  improvement and faithful application of IDRL
  
• Evaluate the effectiveness of IDRL in
  humanitarian operations
  
• Encourage States to become parties to the Tampere
  Convention
  
• Report to Council of Delegates in 2005

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Achievements 2002-2003

• Field studies and research conducted in over 25
  countries

• Compilation of international treaties and other
  documents
  
• published on CD ROM

• Publication of book IDRL Reflections,
  prospects and challenges

• Report of consolidated findings and
  recommendations

• Report presented to Council of Delegates 2003

• Agenda for Humanitarian Action, Final Goal 3.2
  adopted by International Conference of the Red
  Cross and Red Crescent, December 2003
  

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International recognition - highlights

• UN General Assembly Resolution, Strengthening the
  effectiveness and coordination of international
  urban search and rescue, UNGA RES/57/150, 16
  December 2002
• UN ECOSOC Report of the Secretary General,
  Strengthening the Coordination of Emergency
  Humanitarian Assistance (2002 and 2003)
  
• Inter-Parliamentary Resolution, International
  cooperation for the prevention and management of
  transborder natural disasters, April 2003
  
• 6th Asia and Pacific Regional Conference of Red
  Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Manila Action
  Plan, November 2002
  
• 27th Inter-American Conference of the Red Cross,
  Santiago de Chile Commitment and Action Plan,
  April 2003

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28th International Conference

• Agenda for Humanitarian Action Final Goal 3.2
• Welcomed the work undertaken so far, as noted in
  UN General Assembly Resolution 57/150
  (International Urban Search and Rescue)
  
• Recognised the need for improved awareness,
  clarification, application and development of the
  laws, rules and principles applicable to
  international disaster response.
• States and National Societies encouraged to work
  together to ensure fullest possible consideration
  and application of laws, rules and principles,
  including
• Resolution 6 of 23rd International Red Cross and
  Red Crescent Conference on Measures to expedite
  international relief
  
• UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182, including
  Annex containing Guiding Principles for
  humanitarian assistance

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28th International Conference

• Agenda for Humanitarian Action Final Goal 3.2
• Encouraged accession and implementation to the
  Tampere Convention and other instruments
  concerning telecommunications and protection of
  relief workers
• Commitment to review existing disaster management
  laws and operational instruments at the national,
  regional and international level to enhance their
  harmonization
• International Federation and National Societies
  to lead collaborative efforts to
  
• Continue to build collection of instruments
• Identify outstanding needs
• Develop practical tools for operational use
• Promote awareness, clarification and application
  of IDRL
  
• International Federation to report to next
  International Conference, 2007
  

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Strategic plan 2004-2007______2-Year Plan
2004-2005
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Observations

• Terminology to reflect full scope of area laws,
  rules and principles
  
• Support for continued to efforts to collect,
  analyse, clarify and apply existing laws, rules
  and principles
  
• Need for wider international collaboration at all
  levels and integration with other processes
  

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Vision

• A harmonized legal and regulatory framework which
  enhances and facilitates international disaster
  response and thereby contributes to saving lives
  and reducing vulnerability

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Core areas
1. Identification / collection
2. Clarification
3. Application / Implementation
4. Advocacy / Promotion
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Objective 1
Identification and collection of the laws, rules
and principles relevant to the facilitation of
international disaster response

• Activities and Results 2004 / 2005
• Develop common understanding to facilitate
  identification ofthe laws, rules and principles
  
• Building the IDRL library
• Continue collection and publication of
  international documents
  
• Commence collection of regional and national
  documents, starting with Asia-Pacific region in
  2004
  
• Encourage and facilitate research activities
  utilizing resources of National Societies,
  States, universities, the United Nations and
  others

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Objective 2
Further clarification of the nature and scope of
existing laws, rules and principles relevant to
the facilitation of international disaster
response, including any gaps and weaknesses

• Activities and Results 2004 / 2005
• Analyse and publish research results and
  findings through reports, articles, papers and
  other publications
  
• Examine the value and feasibility of identifying
  core principles which emerge from the existing
  body of laws, rules and principles
  
• Prepare concept paper
• Preliminary consultation with group of IDRL
  experts
  
• Wider consultations with States, organisations
  and other experts
  
• Collaborative process to determine the
  feasibility, and if so, the process

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Objective 3
Improved awareness of the existence, importance
and usefulness of the laws, rules and principles
which facilitate international disaster response

• Activities and Results 2004 / 2005
• Continued promotion and advocacy activities and,
  as leader of collaborative efforts, present IDRL
  to the UN and to the wider international
  community
• Support the formation of partnerships with the
  UN, international organisations, governments and
  NGOs
  
• Promote and encourage the harmonization of IDRL
  at national, regional and international levels
  
• Improve networking and knowledge sharing through
  development of online resources, meetings and
  workshops, commencing in Asia-Pacific region

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Objective 4
Improved application, implementation and
adherence to the relevant laws, rules and
principles which facilitate international
disaster response

• Activities and Results 2004 / 2005
• Systematise the collection of case studies and
  best practices from international disaster
  response operations and make the information
  widely available (using Bam operation and
  Asia-Pacific studies as a pilot)
• Identify and publish reports on key issues and
  trends arising from case studies
  
• Integrate IDRL information sharing into
  International Federation disaster preparedness
  and management tools and training
  
• Develop series of information sheets on
  different topics of IDRL, which will form the
  basis for collaboration to develop a practical
  and multi-language handbook on IDRL

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Compatibility / Complementarity
Millennium Development Goals
Agenda for Humanitarian Action
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
Strategy 2010
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Upcoming events

• UN General Assembly
• INSARAG Meetings Americas, Asia
• ECOSOC
• World Conference on Disaster Reduction, Kobe,
• Red Cross / Red Crescent regional meetings

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Global Appeal 2004

• Global Appeal launched specifically to support
  IDRL activities CHF 733,000
  
• Coordinator funded by Ausaid, via Australian Red
  Cross
  
• Staff on Loan from Iranian Red Crescent for 6
  months
  
• 40 coverage of IDRL Appeal so far
• 2005 Appeal will follow current plan
• Further briefings on progress to follow

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Disaster Response Operational Issues and IDRLA
case study on international assistance to the
victims of Bam earthquake

• Why IDRL?
• Natural disasters and increasing vulnerabilities
  
  
• International cooperation to assist the victims
  of natural disasters
  
• Requirements for effective international
  assistance in disasters
  

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Disaster Response Operational Issues and IDRLA
case study on international assistance to the
victims of Bam earthquake

• A brief on Bam earthquake
• Description of the disaster ( time, place and
  magnitude)
  
• Damage and impact of the disaster
• National response to the disaster
• International assistance to victims of the
  disaster
  

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Disaster Response Operational Issues and IDRLA
case study on international assistance to the
victims of Bam earthquake

• Issues identified in Bam humanitarian operation
  in relation with IDRL
  
• Acceptance of international humanitarian
  assistance
  
• Access to the affected population

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Disaster Response Operational Issues and IDRLA
case study on international assistance to the
victims of Bam earthquake

• Customs clearance and tax exemption for relief
  goods and equipment
  
• Relief items for distribution among the affected
  population
  
• Rescue and relief equipment
• General logistics facilities

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Disaster Response Operational Issues and IDRLA
case study on international assistance to the
victims of Bam earthquake

• Transportation
• Permission for entrance of international relief
  
  
• Provision of local transportation facilities
• provision of logistical support for the
  international transportation
  

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Disaster Response Operational Issues and IDRLA
case study on international assistance to the
victims of Bam earthquake

• Use of rescue and relief equipment
• Protection and security
• Protection of people
• Protection of relief equipment and goods
• Communication and information sharing