International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG)
INSARAG is a global network of more than 80 countries and disaster response organisations under the United Nations umbrella. INSARAG deals with urban search and rescue (USAR) related issues. INSARAG aims at estsablishing standards for international USAR teams and methodology for international coordination in earthquake response. Members of INSARAG are both earthquake-prone and responding countries and organisations.
INSARAG was established in 1991, following initiatives of international search and rescue teams that responded to the 1988 Armenia earthquake. The Field Coordination Support Section (FCSS) in the Emergency Services Branch (ESB) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva functions as INSARAG Secretariat.
INSARAG Guidelines: The INSARAG standards are comprised in the INSARAG Guidelines, which provide guidance to earthquake-prone countries in establishing USAR response capacity as well as checklists for the minimum requirements of USAR teams envisaged to deploying in international response operations. In addition, the INSARAG Guidelines define coordination and cooperation procedures for international and national responders in major disasters.
UN GA Res 75/150: The INSARAG Guidelines have been endorsed in the dedicated United Nations General Assembly Resolution 75/150 of 16 December 2002.
Virtual OSOCC: INSARAG has developed the Virtual OSOCC, an on-line information exchange and coordination tool for diaster managers and internaitonal response organisations. The Virtual OSOCC is used by responders during major disasters to exchange information in order to facilitate their decision-making for international assistance.
USAR Exercises: Each year, INSARAG organises regional USAR simulation-exercises and awareness training courses. These events provide a vehicle to introduce and practice disaster response coordination methodology as defined in the INSARAG Guidelines. The exercises and courses are typically hosted by earthquake-prone countries. The traget audience are national disaster managers, the UNDAC team, IHP Support Modules as well as domestic disaster response teams and and international USAR teams.
INSARAG has defined standards for minimum requirements of international USAR teams.
INSARAG has defined standardised procedures for the coordination and cooperation between natinal and international responders on-site.
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