Disaster law in Europe and Central Asia

Latest News and Publications

News:

• Tajik parliament approves new customs rules for humanitarian aid (December 2012)
• L'Aquila aftershocks - Italy convicts earthquake scientists for manslaughter  (October 2012)
• International Dialogue promotes enhanced partnership in international disaster response (December 2011)
• Second Central Asia IDRL conference marks progress (September 2011)
• EU IDRL study recommends steps to strengthen EU and member states’ laws (December 2010)
• New European IDRL studies published (August 2010)
• New IDRL studies by the German and Netherlands Red Cross Societies (June 2010)
• IDRL training in Vienna examines Europe’s need for preparedness (June 2010)
• Armenian Red Cross promotes local disaster laws (June 2010)
• Polish Red Cross and authorities open dialogue on IDRL (April 2010) 

Publications: 

EU IDRL Project (2009-10)

• Synthesis Report and Recommendations
• EU regional study 

Country Reports:

• Austria
• Bulgaria
• France
• Germany
• Netherlands  
• United Kingdom

Selected regional instruments:

European Union

• European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid: Joint Statement by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States Council of the European Union: Regulation (EC) No. 1257/96 concerning humanitarian aid
• Council decision of 8 November 2007 establishing a Community Civil Protection Mechanism (recast)
• Commission Decision of 8 August 2007 laying down rules for the implementation of the provisions on transport in Council decision 2007/162/EC, Euratom establishing a Civil Protection Financial Instrument
• Council of the European Union decision of 23 October 2001 establishing a Community mechanism to facilitate reinforced cooperation in civil protection assistance interventions

Council of Europe

• Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Resolution 87(2): Setting up a co-operation group for the prevention of, protection against, and organisation of relief in major natural and technological disasters
• Agreement on the temporary importation, free of duty, of medical, surgical and laboratory equipment for use on free loan in hospitals and other medical institutions for purposes of diagnosis or treatment
• European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organisations

Other

• Agreement among the Governments of the Participating States of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) on Collaboration in Emergency Assistance and Emergency Response to Natural and Man-Made Disasters
• Additional Protocol to the Agreement among the Governments of the Participating States of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) on Collaboration in Emergency Assistance and Emergency Response to Natural and Man-Made Disasters
• Agreement on the establishment of the Civil-military Emergency Planning Council for South-Eastern Europe
• Cooperation Agreement on the Forecast, Prevention and Mitigation of Natural and Technological Disasters
• Agreement between Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden on Cooperation across State Frontiers to Prevent or Limit Damage to Persons or Property or to the Environment in the Case of Accidents