In 2016, IFRC and Honduran Red Cross partnered with the Honduran Permanent Contingency Commission (COPECO) to conduct an assessment of legal preparedness for international disaster assistance, using the International Disaster Response Law (IDRL) Guidelines as a benchmark.
The assessment involved the creation of an IDRL Commission comprising IFRC Disaster Law, Honduran Red Cross, COPECO and representatives from relevant government ministries, including foreign affairs, immigration and customs. The IDRL Commission subsequently developed an IDRL law based on the recommendations identified through the assessment as well as the IDRL Model Act. The IDRL law was adopted by the Congress of Honduras on 11 November 2020 during the response to Hurricanes Eta and Iota, and is the first law based on the IDRL Model Act to be adopted in the Americas.
Between 2020 and 2022, Honduran Red Cross has been working on the IDRL Law regulation, together with the IDRL Working group established by law. The process included the revision of the regulation with authorities. In September 2022m the IDRL Law Regulation was on its final approval process, presented to COPECO.
In 2022, based on the IFRC Guide to Strengthening the Auxiliary Role through Law and Policy, Honduran Red Cross revised how the National Society's auxiliary role is recognized in sectoral laws, policies plans and agreements. It also reviewed legal facilities, enabling them to conduct their operations more efficiently and effectively. The report’s findings and recommendations, as well as next steps, suggest an advocacy strategy and roadmap developed, focusing on promoting a Red Cross constitutive law.
