Question

Consider the following statements regarding the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG):

1. It is been organized by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
2. The Secretariat is located in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

Option C - Both 1 and 2

More Information

■ International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) :-

• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has organized the second BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise as per the International Search & Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) guidelines for familiarization & exercise purposes.

• The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) was established in 1991.

• It is a network of disaster-prone and disaster-responding countries and organizations dedicated to urban search and rescue (USAR) and operational field coordination.

• It aims to establish standards and classification for international USAR teams as well as a methodology for international response coordination in the aftermath of earthquakes and collapsed structure disasters.

• The Secretariat is located in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

__________

Answer 2

Answer:

INSARAG External Classifications

The INSARAG community acknowledges the importance of providing rapid, professional USAR support during disasters that result in structural collapse. To achieve this objective, 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. The IEC has received unanimous support from INSARAG members. According to their operational capabilities, USAR teams deploying internationally are classified as “Medium Teams” or “Heavy Teams” through the IEC process. This ensures that qualified and appropriate USAR resources are deployed accordingly.

International USAR teams can apply for classification through the INSARAG secretariat.

INSARAG Today

INSARAG has become a model for humanitarian assistance, with more than 90 Member States and organizations. As of today, more than 56 international teams have successfully achieved the globally recognized INSARAG IEC status. UN General Assembly resolution 57/150 on Strengthening the Effectiveness and Coordination of International USAR Assistance (2002) has underpinned much of the progress achieved throughout the past three decades in the areas of effective preparation, coordination and response.

The 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.