Red Cross Red Crescent - Publications

Much can be achieved by developing functional, treaty-based operating procedures in support of international disaster response. By attending to these seemingly mundane details now, and demonstrating that such procedures work in practice, the way will be open later for those who may have more visionary legal goals in mind. We have two precedents available that offer very different lessons for the future.

The Convention Establishing an International Relief Union was adopted in 1927. The IRU was envisioned as an operational organization that would render assistance to victims of disaster and "encourage the study of preventive measures against disasters". This treaty had a notable weakness – it focused on parliamentary and administrative issues and offered no standards or guidance for work in the field. As the IRU never received adequate political or financial support, it could not become an effective operational organization. Even though it would never have been enough by itself, an operational treaty would have provided a useful starting point for anyone who wanted to promote an assertive role for the IRU.

In the telecommunications sphere, a starting point for such action does exist. The Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations of 1998 provides useful procedures when states request telecommunications assistance.
Among issues covered are:
• provision of privileges, immunities and facilities for telecommunications functions:
• protection of personnel, equipment and materials brought into the state for that purpose; and
• reduction or removal of regulatory barriers to emergency use of such telecommunications equipment.

It took until the end of the 20th century to produce a treaty offering universal procedures for any aspect of international disaster response. Much remains to be done. The Tampere Convention offers an interesting, even inspirational, starting point.