This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article relies excessively on references to primary sources . Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources:  "International Search and Rescue Advisory Group"  –  news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2012) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance.(November 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  "International Search and Rescue Advisory Group"  –  news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) ( Learn how and when to remove this message )

INSARAG

International Search and Rescue Advisory Group
Agency overview
Agency executive	Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, Secretary of INSARAG
Parent agency	UNOCHA
Website	www.insarag.org

The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) is a United Nations advisory body established in 1991 focused on Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). It develops standards, classifications, and methodologies for international coordination in the aftermath of earthquakes and structural collapses. The INSARAG Secretariat is located in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. ^[1]

Contents

• History
• Mandates
• Membership
• Leadership
• References
• External links

History

INSARAG was established in 1991 following international experiences in large-scale earthquake disasters, including the 1985 Mexico City earthquake and the 1988 Spitak earthquake in Armenia. ^[2] These events highlighted the need for common standard procedures in international search and rescue coordination. ^[3]

In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed INSARAG’s role through Resolution 57/150, which called for strengthening the effectiveness and coordination of international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) assistance. ^[4] In 2010, the Global Meeting in Kobe, Japan, was held, during which participants adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action. This was a 10-year program for disaster risk reduction, which ended in 2015. ^{[5] [6]}

INSARAG has been involved in the coordination of international teams during several major emergencies, such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, and the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Mandates

The INSARAG mandates include: ^[10]

• Developing effective international USAR procedures and operational standards.
• Implementing the Strengthening the Effectiveness document.
• Improving cooperation and coordination among international USAR teams at disaster sites.
• Promoting USAR preparedness activities in disaster-prone countries.
• Developing standardized guidelines and procedures.
• Sharing best practices among national and international USAR teams.
• Defining minimum requirements for international USAR teams.

Membership

Membership in INSARAG is generally open to any country or organization involved in USAR. Prospective members must designate a national focal point to liaise with the INSARAG Regional Group and Secretariat. Organizations apply through their national focal point. Although not required for membership, countries with internationally deployable USAR teams are strongly encouraged to obtain INSARAG External Classification (IEC).^{[ citation needed ] [11] [12]}

Members participate in regional meetings and contribute to INSARAG working groups. They may also have access to the Virtual On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) for real-time alerts and coordination tools. The INSARAG Secretariat maintains the USAR Directory, listing member countries and their USAR teams. ^[13]

Leadership

In February 2023, INSARAG leadership comprised a secretary and regional Sub-Secretaries: ^[14]

• Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, Secretary of INSARAG
• Haruka Ezaki, Sub-Secretary for Asia-Pacific
• Lucien Jaggi, Sub-Secretary for Middle East and North Africa
• Clement Kalonga, Sub-Secretary for Africa
• Ana Maria Rebaza, Sub-Secretary for the Americas
• Stefania Trassari, Sub-Secretary for Europe and the CIS

References

External links

• INSARAG official website
• INSARAG - USAR Directory
• What is INSARAG?