Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws The IFRC’s Disaster Laws Programme in the Pacific Finau Limuloa Humanitarian Diplomacy Delegate

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws Why legal preparedness for international disaster response? (IDRL)  More frequent and larger natural disasters  More and different international responders  Absence of procedure to regulate the increasingly complex context

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws Research shows that the lack of legal preparedness hampers int’l relief Research  27 legal case studies  Global survey  Regional forums Findings  Unnecessary delays and costs  Unnecessary relief items, poor coordination, lack of respect

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws The IDRL Guidelines  Adopted by consensus by the 30th International Conference in 2007  Compile existing international norms and best practice  Recommendations to governments on how to prepare domestic laws and procedures for international assistance

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws Implementation of the Guidelines  Growing interest in the use of the IDRL Guidelines  Tangible progress at the national level  Ongoing regional cooperation and partnerships - e.g SOPAC

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws Collaborations with International Partners New tools: Model Act on International Disaster Assistance  Project partners – IFRC, OCHA, IPU  Provides a tool for states to develop national legislation Increased awareness: WCO Regional Seminars  Project partners – IFRC, OCHA, WCO  Awareness raising, implementation of international instruments

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws The 31 st International Conference – Broadening the scope of disaster laws Legal preparedness for international disaster response (IDRL) Legislating enhanced disaster risk reduction, particularly at the community level Regulatory barriers to emergency and transitional shelter for people affected by natural disasters

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws What can legislation accomplish when it comes to disaster risk reduction? Legislation is an important tool to increase impact at the community level – it can:  empower communities to take an active role  promote full implementation of incentives  prioritize resources for community level work  encourage accountability

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws Next Steps  Continue to support National Societies and states in the field of disaster laws generally, including in the three areas discussed  Provide technical assistance and training  Develop tools, models and guidelines  Continue its advocacy and research  Strengthen partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the region and further abroad

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws How IDRL is addressing gender equality Disaster relief and initial recovery assistance is to be “[r]esponsive to the special needs, if any, of women and particularly vulnerable groups which may include children, displaced persons, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and persons living with HIV and other debilitating illnesses”. [IDRL Guildelines Para 3(a)]. This is then to be “[c]arried out with adequate involvement of affected persons including women, youth and the elderly…” [IDRL Guildelines Para 3(e)].

Saving lives, changing minds. Disaster Laws For more information please visit Or contact: Finau Limuloa Humanitarian Diplomacy Delegate