What is it?
The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) is a network of disaster-prone and disaster-responding countries and organizations dedicated to urban search and rescue (USAR) and operational field coordination.
The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG)
- It was established in 1991 following initiatives of international SAR teams that responded to the 1988 Armenia earthquake.
- The United Nations was chosen as the INSARAG secretariat to facilitate international participation and coordination.
- The Field Coordination Support Section (FCSS), located within OCHA Geneva’s Emergency Services Branch (ESB), functions as the INSARAG secretariat.
Activities of INSARAG
- INSARAG activities are guided by United Nations General Assembly resolution 57/150 of 16 December 2002 on “Strengthening the Effectiveness and Coordination of International Urban Search and Rescue Assistance”.
- Activities are also led by the INSARAG Hyogo Declaration adopted at the first INSARAG Global Meeting in 2010 in Kobe, Japan.
INSARAG mandate includes:
- Field Coordination Support
- Render emergency preparedness and response activities more effective and thereby save more lives, reduce suffering and minimize adverse consequences.
- Improve efficiency in cooperation among international USAR teams working in collapsed structures at a disaster site.
- Promote activities designed to improve search-and-rescue preparedness in disaster-prone countries, thereby prioritizing developing countries.
- Develop internationally accepted procedures and systems for sustained cooperation between national USAR teams operating on the international scene.
- Develop USAR procedures, guidelines and best practices, and strengthen cooperation between interested organizations during the emergency relief phase.
INSARAG External Classifications
- INSARAG has developed a voluntary, independent peer-review process of international USAR teams – the INSARAG External Classification (IEC).
- The INSARAG Steering Group endorsed the IEC in 2005.
- According to their operational capabilities, USAR teams deploying internationally are classified as “Medium Teams” or “Heavy Teams” through the IEC process.
