Disasters, large and small, appear to be getting worse worldwide. They are affecting more people, striking in different ways and causing more damage. One critical, but little discussed, tool to combat this trend is the law. If well crafted, laws can focus and strengthen governmental efforts to prevent and respond to disasters. They can also empower communities and civil society organizations, like Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies, to make effective contributions to disaster management.
If poorly designed, they can have the opposite effect.
Over the last ten years, IFRC and its members have been working in the area of International Disaster Response Laws, Rules and Principles (IDRL), with a particular focus on how international assistance can be more effectively facilitated and regulated. More recently and beyond IDRL, they have been investigating the role of legislation in disaster risk reduction at the community level and in overcoming regulatory barriers to post-disaster shelter.
Taking advantage of the gathering of IDRL delegates from Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific in Geneva, this Red Talk addresses several key questions:
- What are the global trends in disaster laws?
- What has been the experience of the IFRC and its member national societies in promoting IDRL in the field?
- How does the IFRC and national society role in IDRL compare to its role with regard to international humanitarian law (IHL)?
- How might this role develop over time?
You can watch the full talk and question and answer session here.