From June 29 to July 1st, the IFRC’s IDRL Programme and East Africa Zone Of fice hosted representatives from 12 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and partners from other humanitarian organizations in Nairobi for the second regional IDRL training and consultation workshop to be conducted in Africa.
Through “hands on,” scenario-based case studies, the participants learned about the IDRL Guidelines and other international legal instruments in disaster response. Participants explored the potential uses and limits of these instruments, both as advocacy tools and as guidance for resolving ethical and policy dilemmas in their own operations.
Participants also shared perspectives, experiences and strategies on influencing the development of domestic law concerning disasters and health emergencies. Among these was Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Secretary General Abbas Gullet’s description of the success of his National Society in lobbying the East African Customs Union to allow for VAT waivers to National Societies in the region. KRCS Disaster Management Head Mohammed Abdinoor further pointed out that the KRCS had succeeded in obtaining a number of domestic legal facilities, including tax exemptions on importation of relief food and vehicles.
Likewise, Francis Buwule and Andrew Omale of the Uganda Red Cross (URCS) noted their Society’s experience in developing national policy on disaster risk reduction (currently being finalized) as well as the national policy for internally displaced persons. In addition, the URCS had been able to obtain tax exemptions such as registration of vehicles duty free.
In cooperation with the Uganda Government and the IFRC, URCS is currently in the process of initiating an IDRL Pilot Project to promote implementation of the IDRL Guidelines in Ugandan law.