The RCRC

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The RC/RC Strengthening Disaster Response
Laws, Rules and Principles
Katrien Beeckman, Ph.D. IDRL Advocacy,
Communications and Resource Mobilisation Officer
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• Why take a more pro-active stance towards
  strengthening Disaster Response Laws, Rules and
  Principles?
• What are the challenges the RC/RC could address?
• What action can the RC/RC undertake externally?
• What action can the RC/RC undertake internally?
• Potential avenues for NS Legal Services
• Support from IF Secretariat IDRL programme

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(No Transcript)
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2. What are the challenges the RC/RC could
address?

• At the national level stimulate a coherent
  disaster response legislative and policy
  framework
• At the international level continue our efforts
  and leadership in strengthening IDRL

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3. What action can the RC/RC undertake
externally?

• 3.1. RAISE AWARENES
• 3.2. Influence the PROCESS
• 3.3. Influence the CONTENT

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3.1. Raise awareness advocacy

• 3.1.1. International response IF NS mandate
• The IF and NS will continue to lead
  collaborative efforts, involving States, the UN
  and other relevant bodies, in conducting research
  and advocacy activities relating to the
  compilation of the laws, rules and principles
  applicable to international disaster response.
  This includes identifying any outstanding needs
  in terms of the legal and regulatory framework
  and the development of models, tools and
  guidelines for practical use in international
  disaster response activities. This also includes
  the active promotion of the awareness,
  dissemination, clarification and application,
  where appropriate, of the laws, rules and
  principles applicable to international disaster
  response, as well as applicable guidelines by
  States and the international community at all
  levels. The IF will submit a progress report to
  the International Conference of the Red Cross and
  Red Crescent in 2007.
• Agenda for Humanitarian Action, Final Goal, 3.2.6

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3.1.2. Domestic response law policy scope for
a RC/RC advocacy role

• Auxiliary status of NS
• Well-prepared NS stipulate the need for NS to
• to promote the position and visibility of the NS
  in domestic response plans supported by policy
  and legislation and
• to be represented and active in the national and
  local coordinating body for disasters

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3.2. Influence the PROCESS

• RC/RC COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE
• Fundamental principle of neutrality
• Fundamental principle of independence
• Privileged for creating meaningful partnerships

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3.3. Influence the CONTENT

• 3.3.1. Emphasize the Government's primary role
  and responsibility in disaster response
• Elaboration of a National Disaster Plan and
  designation of national relief authority
• Raise awareness to the need for all stakeholders
  to respect this G primary role and responsibility
  

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3.3. Influence the CONTENT (ctd)

• 3.3.2. Emphasize the ethical and qualitative
  dimension of disaster response laws,
• Mainstreaming fundamental humanitarian principles
  and values
• Mainstreaming the need for disaster response to
  be responsive to the objective needs of
  beneficiaries (with a priority focus on the most
  vulnerable) as well as be adaptable to the local
  context
• Mainstreaming the need for disaster response to
  promote local and community capacities and to
  promote self-reliance (strategy 2010)

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4. What action can the RC/RC undertake internally?
NS Legal services
input
support
NS DM IF Secretariat DM
input
support
input
support
IF Secretariat IDRL programme
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4.1. Some reflection on potential avenues for NS
Legal Services

• Stocktaking of existing national disaster
  response legislation, plans and policy
• Stronger articulate collaboration DM Legal
• Be pro-active and ensure that NS are involved in
  the elaboration of national DM plans and
  legislation
• Advocate the need for mitigation and preparedness
  measures, particularly at community level
• Peer review and support
• Recruit legal volunteers (partnerships with
  universities)

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4.2. Support from IF Secretariat

• User-friendly public web-based DATA BASE (end
  2005)
• Case studies on recent disasters (available)
• Thematically categorized study (ongoing)
• Training module and operational handbook for NS
  (2007)
• Leading a consultative process lo produce for the
  2007 International Conference RC/RC guidelines

IDRL
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First steps for NS follow-up

• Identify IDRL focal point
• Gather forward existing national disaster
  response legislation, plans and policy
• Identify disasters for case studies (interest)
• Answer and promote questionnaire (IDRL in the
  field)
• Contribute, if possible to financing the
  programme
• Participate in IDRL activities (e.g. regional
  meetings)

IDRL
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Thank you for your attention