In 2015, IFRC signed an MOU with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) relating to the enhancement of International Disaster Response Law (IDRL) in the region. The finalisation of the MOU followed a sub-regional disaster law training of National Societies and government representatives from Central African states, co-hosted by IFRC Disaster Law and ECCAS. Subsequently, the Gabonese Red Cross Society hosted a workshop for key stakeholders on disaster risk reduction and law to further the discussions commenced at the sub-regional training.
In 2021, IFRC Disaster Law embarked on a research project to map the status of the auxiliary role in domestic legal frameworks as well as to map the legal arrangements for Disaster Risk Management in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Republic of the Congo and São Tomé & Principe. This activity formed part of a larger exercise to identify and analyse the legal and policy arrangements for the auxiliary role and disaster risk management across the continent. Moreover, to support effective and timely disaster response efforts, IFRC Disaster Law developed an International Disaster Law Fact Sheet to support response activities to the devastating Ebola Outbreak in the DRC in 2025. This factsheet provides a brief overview of the relevant legal framework that is applicable to international disaster assistance and can be used by assisting actors seeking to understand the applicable legal framework in the country.
