INSARAG - Achievements

• INSARAG has successfully pursued the creation of a UN General Assembly Resoultion on Strengthening the Effectiveness and Coordination of International Urban Search and Rescue Assistance (GA Resolution 57/150 of 16 December 2002) (see SAR GA Resolution for more information)
• INSARAG has established a world-wide network of disaster relief organizations in three INSARAG Regional Groups in Africa/Europe, Asia/Pacific and the Americas
• it has developed international guidelines for search and rescue SAR operations to ensure standardized training, structure and equipment of international SAR teams (see sidebar SAR Guidelines for more information)
• it has developed internationally applicable criteria for marking of buildings in SAR operations to improve communication of SAR teams on site
• it has developed methodology for the establishment of a SAR team reception centre at entry points into the affected country to better coordinate team assignment and logistics support on site
• it has developed a concept for rapid disaster assessment and coordination (the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) concept), and has provided resources for the establishment (i.e. personnel, training and equipment), and mobilization of the UNDAC team
• it has developed a concept for the On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) in sudden-onset disasters
• it has developed quality criteria for international SAR teams
• it has established a roster of international urban SAR Teams
• it has established a "Virtual OSOCC" on the Internet for real-time information exchange during ongoing emergencies among involved actors
• it has successfully carried out operational coordination of international assistance in major disasters in recent years, in cooperation with OCHA-Geneva
• it has successfully promoted bilateral assistance for disaster preparedness and cross-border cooperation in disaster response