Disaster Laws Discussion Paper
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Material Information

Title:
Disaster Laws Discussion Paper sub-themes proposed for the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Creator:
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Florida International University (DRR/FIU) ( summary contributor )
Publisher:
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Publication Date:
Copyright Date:
2011
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Disaster response and recovery ( lcshac )
Legislation ( lcsh )
Genre:
non-fiction ( marcgt )

Notes

Summary:
This document is an overview of three sub-topics on disaster laws proposed for the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which are legal preparedness for international disaster response, enhancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) at the community level through legislation, and regulatory issues impacting the provision of emergency shelters after disasters. Its broader focus is on how states can proactively resolve common regulatory problems and gaps by evaluating their current domestic laws, policies, and procedures. The first section of the document highlights how the International Disaster Response Laws, Rules and Principles (IDRL) Guidelines was established. It discusses the importance of legal frameworks in managing disaster risks, and how they can either support efforts focused on preventing or adequately responding to disasters, or become hindrances. Through a number of case studies, surveys, and interviews of disaster responders, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) found that domestic legal frameworks often stalled humanitarian efforts. Issues related to entry visas, customs, taxation, transport permissions, and registration requirements were commonly cited roadblocks. The next section documents recent successes of the IFRC in promoting the incorporation of IDRL guidelines into the domestic legislations of various countries, regional organizations, and international bodies. The following section discusses how laws provide the fundamental institutional basis for DRR efforts, while the final section places emphasis on the need to address regulatory barriers to housing and shelter after a large segments of a country’s population has been displaced by disaster. Often humanitarian efforts to provide these people with adequate shelter in moments of crisis are hampered by a number of regulatory roadblocks revolving around land and property rights. Despite international acknowledgement that laws are important in effective disaster risk management, there is little said about best practices for developing legislation associated with these objectives. The document argues that this is particularly true at the local level where policies are often poorly enforced. It calls for communities and civil society organizations to be legally empowered to take part in decision-making regarding risks at the local level, and to have the legal means to hold public officials accountable for failing to address such risks. It also contends that legal incentives should be in place to promote behaviors that reduce risks locally. ( English )
Subject:
Disaster Risk Management ( English )
Citation/Reference:
(2011). Disaster laws discussion paper: sub-themes proposed for the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Rights Management:
Refer to main document/publisher for use rights.
Resource Identifier:
FI13042168

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Aggregations:
Disaster Risk Reduction