Over two decades, IFRC’s Disaster Law work has helped protect people in disasters when they’ve needed it most. With laws, policies, and disaster management plans in place, communities have been protected, and lives have been saved.
To commemorate this journey, IFRC Disaster Law has produced Celebrating 20 Years of Disaster Law, an online magazine with stories from across the globe that showcases the impact of our work over the last 20 years.
Isabelle Granger, Global Lead for Disaster Law, said that creating the magazine was in itself a special moment for the team.
“Our work keeps us busy - we’re often focused on immediate challenges—on the laws and policies that fit into today’s crises—so there’s rarely time to reflect on how far we’ve come.
“Putting together this magazine was truly humbling; it reminded us of the long road we’ve travelled and the many achievements along the way. Reconnecting with those who helped shape this program—whether policymakers or practitioners—revealed the far-reaching effects of this work. Each story here is a testament to what we’ve achieved and a reminder of the ongoing challenges we must tackle together.”
The magazine traces the origins of disaster law in the early 2000s, revisiting significant moments such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the COVID-19 pandemic, the establishment of IFRC’s research and training in disaster law, and the development of disaster law into a comprehensive disaster risk governance field. Stories also reflect on the future of disaster law, including the prospect of the world’s first global treaty on the protection of persons in the event of disasters.
“This is more than a celebration; it’s a call to keep advancing. These stories show how essential it is to continue to adapt, innovate, and ensure that laws serve those they’re meant to protect,” said Ms Granger.
Click here to read Celebrating 20 Years of Disaster Law.