International Disaster Response Law: An introduction

Authors

  • Lewis W. Marshall, Jr, MS, MD, JD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2008.0025

Keywords:

International Disaster Response Law, disaster preparedness, disaster response, treaties, conventions

Abstract

Objective: To review the current state of International Disaster Response Law (IDRL) and identify barriers to development and future directions.
Design: This study is an introduction to the current status of IDRL.
Conclusions: The data suggest that globally we will have increasing incidents and costs in responding to disasters, but the development of IDRL has not kept pace. The further development and refining of IDRL is imperative on a global scale. Additional barriers to the continued development of IDRL will have to be overcome. Global international stakeholders will need to develop mechanisms to promote the advancement of IDRL while minimizing the barriers to effective preparedness and response to global international disasters.

Author Biography

Lewis W. Marshall, Jr, MS, MD, JD

Chairman, Emergency Medicine, The Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center; President, American Academy of Disaster Medicine, 305 Terhune Drive, Wayne, New Jersey.

References

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International Disaster Response Laws (IDRL): 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Project Report 2002- 2003.

Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations, June 1998.

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CDERA (Carribean Disaster Emergency Response Agency): Agreement, 1991, Article 1(d).

ICRC: Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief. Geneva: ICRC/International Federation, 1994.

International Space Charter, 1999, Art. 1.

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The Tampere Convention Article 3, Sec. 5; Acticle 5, Sec. 1(a).

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U.S. Treaties on Lexis: Iran, Civil Emergency Preparedness. TIAS 8209, 26 U.S.T. 3031: 1975 U.S.T. Lexis 419, November 22, 1975.

U.S. Treaties on Lexis: Iran, Technical Assistance for Civil Emergency Preparedness. TIAS 9461, 30 U.S.T. 4354, 1977 U.S.T. LEXIS 160, January 26, 1977.

U.S. Treaties on Lexis: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Emergency Preparedness. TIAS 11456, 1991 U.S.T. LEXIS 39, July 30, 1991.

Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. The Sphere Project, 2004 Edition. See also, The Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief, Report 15-09-1995, Annex IV—Extract from Principles and response in international humanitarian assistance and protection; 26th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, December 3-7, 1995.

Emergency Events Database: Trends and Relationships 1900- 2006.Available at www.emdat.be/Database/Trends/trends.html.

Fidler DP: Disaster Relief and Governance after the Indian Ocean Tsunami: What role for International Law? MelbJIL 2005; 16: Melbourne Journal of International Law 458.

Published

05/01/2008

How to Cite

Marshall, Jr, MS, MD, JD, L. W. “International Disaster Response Law: An Introduction”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 3, no. 3, May 2008, pp. 181-4, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2008.0025.

Issue

Section

Articles