The International Federation has just completed a planning process resulting in the development of a 4-year strategic plan for continuing its efforts to research and analyse the laws, rules and principles relevant to international disaster response.

Since receiving a positive response on its work from states and the components of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in December 2003, the International Federation has been developing a plan to implement the actions proposed for IDRL in the Agenda for Humanitarian Action (see Final Goal 3.2).

This process has resulted in a strategic plan which identifies an overall vision or aspirational goal for IDRL, which is supported by a number of tangible objectives to be achieved over the next four year. The strategy also includes a more detailed 2-year plan, which identifies a number of results and activities to be achieved in 2004 and 2005.

The strategic plan will be the subject of continuing discussions with states, National Societies, the United Nations and other stakeholders over the coming months on how the objectives and actions identified by the International Conference can be implemented.