Usually, when talking about rescue and humanitarian activities, only operational matters are discussed. Rarely is attention drawn to the importance of the laws governing that sphere. However, international experience, has shown that international humanitarian aid is often subjected to unnecessary regulatory "endurance tests" e.g. in a complex and lengthy customs and visa processes, recognition of professional qualifications of doctors and nurses or taxation matters and liability.
The Polish Red Cross decided to adopt the strategy that "prevention is better than cure". The first step we took was in September 2009, when we sent all major public authorities the documents related to this issue, above all, the Guidelines on the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance (IDRL Guidelines). This workshop was our second step, focused specifically on the Polish context
We can certainly say that we achieved a first small success. The workshop attracted interest long before the event and a full conference room on April 8. Expert speakers from the French and German Red Cross Societies provided attendees with information about how their countries approach these issues. Participants also benefited from the experience of Paweł Soloch, Chief Adviser of National Security Bureau and the Brig. Mariusz Feltynowski, Deputy Director of the National Crisis Management Center. Thanks to the IFRC’s David Fisher, they also learned about the results of recent study by the IFRC and several EU National Societies on European regulation of cross-border humanitarian aid.
In the second part of the workshop, participants took a closer look at Polish law, using a scenario based on parallel floods in the Oder (in the south-western part of Poland) and a dam rupture in Wloclawek. Participants divided into groups analyzed specific practical problems, and potential responses in existing Polish law and administrative procedures.
Group discussions demonstrated that much remains to be done, in particular, in identfying the applicable domestic rules. We will now proceed to the third step - the development of a comprehensive study of Polish legislation on the reception international humanitarian aid. It is our hope that this work will be useful both to the Polish authorities and humanitarian organizations, and that our collaboration will guarantee the full preparation of Poland for future disasters.