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| Field
studies begin for the IDRL Project |
The International
Federation has commissioned consultant Dr Piero Calvi-Parisetti
of GIGnos (www.gignos.ch)
to conduct a series of field studies for the International Disaster
Response Law Project.
The field studies aim to examine the use and effectiveness of
international laws and other regulations and guidelines applicable
during international disaster response operations, as well identify
the key legal and operational challenges to the provision of
fast and effective humanitarian assistance.
The field studies involve several stages of research. First
is a literature review of evaluation reports from previous major
operations of the International Federation and other organisations.
This will be followed by consultations with a range of personnel
involved in the management and delivery of humanitarian assistance
during times of natural disaster. Finally, the study will move
into the field, where several key operations in different regions
can be researched in greater detail. This process will involve
the collection of documentation and consultations with International
Federation personnel, National Societies, other agencies and
government authorities.
Three regions have been selected for the in-country studies.
Already completed are the studies in South Asia, with a focus
on operations in India. Studies in Central America have also
been completed, with a focus on the activities of the International
Regional Delegation in Guatemala and the Pan-America Disaster
Response Unit in Panama. An study in Southern Africa is also
planned, which will focus on the multi-agency operations underway
for the current food crisis.
The results of these in-country studies, together with the other
research components, will be compiled in a Field Study Report,
due for completion in December 2002. This report will then contribute
to the overall understanding of international disaster response
law and the identification of any areas that are in need of
further study and development as part of the IDRL Project.
The final results of the IDRL Project, including findings and
recommendations for the future study and development of IDRL,
will be presented to the International Conference of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement in December 2003. This will
be accompanied by the launch of two IDRL publications - a compendium
of laws and other instruments relating to IDRL to be published
on CD ROM and a legal study containing an analysis of the current
state of IDRL from a variety of academic, legal and operational
perspectives. |
| IDRL
project participation in the International Co-operation Symposium,
Ankara, Turkey. Hosted by the Turkish Red Crescent, 7-15 October
2002 |
The Turkish
Red Crescent hosted the International Co-Operation Symposium
in Ankara for the purposes of sharing information on disaster
preparedness and response and first aid between Red Cross and
Red Crescent National Societies in the region. The International
Federation was represented by the Head of Delegation in Ankara,
Carl Naucler, other members of the delegation and by the International
Federation’s IDRL Project Coordinator, Victoria Bannon.
The conference was attended by representatives from many National
Societies including: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Northern Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia,
Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Romania, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
Ukraine and Yugoslavia.
For the IDRL Project, this Symposium was an opportunity to provide
National Societies with additional information about the IDRL
Project, including an overview of the work plan and progress
to date. It was also an opportunity to consult with National
Societies on the issues faced by disaster response personnel
in the field and to obtain feedback about the project in general.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need to involve National
Societies in the future shaping of the project as well as obtaining
input for the project from an operational perspective to be
incorporated into the field studies. The presentation was followed
by questions and also informal discussion during the breaks.
The presentation on the IDRL Project prompted many interesting
and relevant comments and questions from the floor, indicating
a good level of interest among the participants. Feedback on
the presentation and the project was very positive overall and
will help us to better address the questions and concerns about
IDRL as we progress with the project. |
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Disaster management
