DUSHANBE, December 22, 2011, Asia-Plus – The findings of survey on Tajikistan Law Conformity to the International Disaster Response Laws, Rules and Principles (IDRL) are being discussed at a roundtable in Dushanbe today, press release issued by the IFRC Country Representation in Tajikistan said.
Organized by the IFRC Country Representation in close collaboration with Tajikistan’s Red Crescent Society (RCS) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Country Office in Tajikistan, the event brings together representatives of Tajikistan governmental agencies, RCS, UNDP, and IFRC to discuss existing laws and rules of international humanitarian assistance in Tajikistan, gaps and necessary steps towards legal base improvement.
Mr. Shamsuddin Muhiddinov, IFRC Disaster Management Program Manager in Tajikistan says that “IDRL seeks to reduce human vulnerability by promoting legal preparedness for disasters. Experience shows that without the appropriate legal instruments, authorities can be overwhelmed by relief operations and vital aid can be delayed. The IDRL program contributes to getting relief to vulnerable people faster.”
The International Disaster Response Laws, Rules and Principles (IDRL) program seeks to reduce human vulnerability by promoting legal preparedness for disasters.
The IDRL program was created in 2001 by a resolution of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Council of Delegates. IFRC and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies were called to identify and share key legal instruments, lead efforts to identify gap areas and make recommendations to address them. In 2007, on the basis of the IFRC’s recommendation, a new set of “Guidelines for the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance” were adopted.
Important progress made in implementing the IDRL Guidelines was welcomed by the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the beginning of this December, and the states were called to furthermore examine and strengthen their national legal frameworks and consider making use of the IDRL Guidelines. Mr. Zafar Muhabbatov, who participated at the International Conference in Geneva, says that “the International Conference welcomed the efforts to develop a “Model Act for the Facilitation and Regulation of International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Assistance” to assist states in incorporating the recommendations of the IDRL Guidelines into their national law. It also encouraged states, in cooperation with National Societies, the IFRC and other relevant partners, to review their national legislation in order to assess whether they adequately address a number of listed issues regarding disaster risk reduction at community level and regulatory barriers to shelter after natural disasters.”
Analysis of Tajikistan legislation, conducted by UNDP showed in spite of the fact that Tajikistan on some extend has legislation in place for huge disaster management and response, the improvements still can be done. Ms. Gulya Ghoibova, the author of the analysis says: “Tajikistan does not have a set of operational rules for incoming international assistance that can be activated in times of emergency. Rather, it appears that any such relevant decisions would be made on an ad hoc basis, should international assistance be required.”
