Sierra Leone Red Cross Society

1
Sierra Leone Red Cross Society

• IDRL Project in Sierra Leone - 2009

2
The SRCS, GOSL IDRL

• For the last 8 years, Sierra Leone has been
  recovering from the ravages of a 10-year civil
  war.
• The National Security and Central Intelligence
  Act was passed in 2002, which established the ONS
• In 2004, the D M Dept of the ONS carried out, in
  collaboration with the SLRCS other partners a
  National Hazard Review.

3
National DM Plan Policy

• a Draft National DM Plan and a National D M
  Policy have been prepared. Cooperation between
  the SLRCS and the government has been very strong
  throughout this institution-building process.

4
ONS DM next step

• A disaster management legislation to shore up
  political commitment and strengthen necessary
  systems will be the next step.
• The IFRC IDRL led project thus becomes an
  opportunity
• SLRCS as auxiliary to its govt naturally steps in
  to continue support with the process

5
The Disaster Profile of SL

• SL has not been dramatically prone to
  (non-conflict) disasters. Over the last 20 yrs,
  it suffered 34 events affecting 4 of the
  population.
• This places it roughly in the middle of African
  states in terms of disaster incidence and below
  average for the number of persons affected.
  However, it is ranked at the very bottom of the
  most recent UNDP H D I

6
The IDRL Pilot Project

• A technical assistance project to strengthen
  legal preparedness for international disaster
  assistance in Sierra Leone
•   It is based on the new IDRL Guidelines
  adopted by the state parties to the Geneva
  Conventions at the 30th International Conference
  of the R C and RC in November 2007

7
Where are we now?

• The project was launched in February
• A Research Consultant has been engaged, based in
  Sierra Leone, tasked with the responsibility to
  carry out the research and organise consultations
  and wkshps
• A Task Force has been formed with a chair from
  the ONS and includes key stakeholders

8
Research

• National Hazard Profile collated pattern showed
  5 hazards types hydrological, epidemic,
  ecological, climatic and pest invasion
• Using the guidelines key legal issues were
  identified in a given scenario of disaster
  requiring international support and coordination

9
Research Findings on Legal frame work

• United Nations(UN) treaties
• African Union Agreements and Treaties
• Ecowas Agreements
• Mano River Agreements

10
Next Steps

• National IDRL workshop to be held in June to
  discuss research findings
• Task force follow up on issues from National
  Workshop
• Recommendations and next level interventions
  planned with govt

11
Challenges and potential Barriers

• Government bureaucracy and red tape in
  formulating a law
• Funding and continued support from IFRC where
  activities may be extended

12
Lessons Learnt

• It can be done. Valuable work in legal
  preparedness. Issues involve will lead to
  efficient, effective and coordinated aid delivery
  in major disasters needing international
  response.
• A great boost for partnership between govt and a
  nationals Society in the latters auxiliary
  status.