Author: Inaara Jivraj

National Accreditation Process Course – Tegucigalpa, Honduras

The Honduras National Accreditation Process Course took place from 5 to 9 December in Tegucigalpa. It is a component of the Disaster Risk Governance Project, financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and organized and implemented by OCHA and UNDP. This workshop has been tailored to the needs of the Honduran USAR national accreditation system and is set to strengthen and align the national system to INSARAG´s international standards in preparation for the INSARAG Recognized National Accreditation Process (IRNAP) certification. The course hosted 25 professionals from COPECO, firefighters, military and IFRC who are key members of the Honduran USAR Accreditation Committee, including mentors, evaluators and members of the verification exercise control team.

The XXI INSARAG Regional Meeting and IX UNDAC Regional Consultative Meeting 2022

The XXI INSARAG Regional Meeting and IX UNDAC Regional Consultative Meeting 2022 took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from November 7 to 9, 2022, with a webcast in Spanish and English. The meeting was hosted by the Government of Argentina through the Argentine Agency for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance Cascos Blancos of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship and organized jointly with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This three-day meeting brought together INSARAG and UNDAC focal points, regional organizations and pertinent delegates to review activities and reflect on key matters from 2022, plenary and group discussions on UNDAC strategic issues, INSARAG pillars and goals, and to agree on the planning orientation for 2023. Participants included representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru, the United States of America, Uruguay, CEPREDENAC, IFRC, PAHO/WHO, American Firefighters Organization (OBA), White Helmets Argentina, OCHA, as well as a Kenyan observer delegation.

INSARAG Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting 2022

The INSARAG Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting 2022 took place in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on October 26-27th, 2022. Participants from 12 countries including Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, USA, and the AHA Center attended the meeting. These gatherings bring together international USAR policymakers, team leaders, and government representatives, among others, to exchange information on technical and political issues affecting USAR. Participants discussed best practices and possible improvements in related areas, including international and regional INSARAG and disaster response policy issues. The meeting also had discussions on regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, preparedness and response to emergencies, and the work plan for 2023.

Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) gains IRNAP accreditation

Following the conclusion of a 24-hour assessment by a team of INSARAG assessors, the Singapore Civil Defense Force’s (SCDF) USAR framework for their ORNS Rescue and Medical Units has been successfully accredited as of October 16th 2022! The INSARAG Secretariat congratulates SCDF on being the first organization in the Asia-Pacific region to undergo this accreditation.