International Search and Rescue Advisory Group

INSARAG
International Search and Rescue Advisory Group
Agency overview
Agency executive
  • Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, Secretary of INSARAG
Parent agencyUNOCHA
Websitewww.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, Switzerland.[1]

History

INSARAG was established in 1991 in response to intense earthquake disasters, including the 1985 Mexico City earthquake and the 1988 Spitak earthquake in Armenia.[2]

In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed INSARAG’s role through Resolution 57/150[3], which called for "strengthening the effectiveness and coordination of international USAR assistance".[4] In 2010, participants at the Global Meeting in Kobe, Japan adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action. This was a ten-year program for disaster risk reduction which concluded in March 2015.[5][6]

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

Mandates

The INSARAG mandates mention:[10]

  • Developing 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 encouraged to obtain INSARAG External Classification (IEC).[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

  1. ^ "International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG)". EECentre. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  2. ^ "INSARAG Overview". OCHA. Archived from the original on 2011-10-26. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Document Viewer". docs.un.org. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
  4. ^ "UN General Assembly Resolution 57/150". United Nations. 16 December 2002. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  5. ^ Shaw, Rajib, ed. (2011). Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management, Volume 7: Disaster Recovery. Emerald Group Publishing. pp. 325–326. ISBN 978-0857247377.
  6. ^ "Hyogo Framework for Action Midterm Review". PrepareCenter. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  7. ^ Maclean, Ruth (15 January 2010). "How international rescue teams coordinate in disasters". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  8. ^ Okita, Yousuke; Katsube, Tsukasa (17 April 2016). "Coordination of International Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams in the 2015 Nepal Earthquake: "Disaster Literacy" for International USAR". Journal of JAEE. 16 (7): 24–36. Bibcode:2016JJAEE..16g..24O. doi:10.5610/jaee.16.7_24.
  9. ^ Luymes, Glenda (10 February 2023). "BC's elite rescue team grounded after Turkey–Syria earthquake". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Mandate of INSARAG". INSARAG. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Membership with INSARAG – INSARAG". Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  12. ^ "INSARAG External Classification Overview (As of 1 December 2023) | OCHA". www.unocha.org. 2023-12-01. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  13. ^ "USAR Directory". vosocc.unocha.org. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Contacts". UNOCHA. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
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