Geneva: developing an International Disaster Response Law
13 February 2001

Red Cross Red Crescent disaster response and legal experts met this week in Geneva with other humanitarian and academic professionals to work on developing an International Disaster Response Law that will regulate international disaster response between states and humanitarian organisations.

Operational and legal experts from some 20 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies met at the International Federation on 11-12 February with experts from the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs and the academic world to develop technical coordination, standards and relevant codes of conduct.

The outcome of this two-day workshop was common agreement that international disaster response law was a vital ingredient in the successful handling of disaster solutions. A document bringing together for the first time the existing law and international rules is to be prepared, and proposals for improved implementation will be considered. Further specialist work will determine what other steps are required.

"There was a long overdue need to bring legal and operational experts on disaster response together to consolidate understanding of international law on disaster response in order to better face catastrophies. This first workshop is a major step forward towards clarity on this critical area of law," says Chris Lamb, head of the Federation's Advocacy coordination department.

"We have gathered some of the world's best lawyers on this subject together with Red Cross Red Crescent representatives from countries stricken by disasters as well as academic and technical experts. And one thing is already obvious: there is a huge need for better disaster preparedness and for training," he adds.

Humanitarian actors themselves, including the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, have done much to enhance and develop technical coordination, standards and relevant codes of conduct. However, much improvement remains to be achieved, particularly as regards the legal framework of international disaster response.

The objective of this initiative is to introduce "IDRL" in the common vocabulary of governmental authorities and intergovernmental and non-governmental actors in disaster relief as a reference base for the legal framework in international relief.

The International Federation is taking a leading role in developing the International Disaster Response Law (IDRL) with support from its member National Societies, who in turn have good relationships with their governments. In November, the Federation's Governing Board defined the promotion of the law as one of the key messages for its advocacy position on disaster preparedness.