Introduction to the Guidelines for the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance (IDRL Guidelines)

In November 2007, the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent unanimously adopted a set of recommendations to help governments prepare their regulatory systems for international disaster response. The Guidelines for the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance have been widely endorsed in the years since their adoption. They have been recognised in several UN General Assembly resolutions, and referred to by regional organizations, such as CAPRADE and NATO. Dozens of governments and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies made use of the Guidelines to review their national legislation –with support from the IFRC. This progress is encouraging, but with renewed momentum there is potential for much more.