“In a region that experiences disasters like West Africa does, a lack of law and regulation makes coordination difficult. This is what led ECOWAS to sign a MOU with the International Federation, to cooperate in the promotion and dissemination of best practices in disaster law. ECOWAS is also preparing to roll out a humanitarian policy for the region, and intends to incorporate the IDRL Guidelines into its own approach” said Daniel Eklu, Director for Humanitarian Affairs at the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), at a workshop on international disaster response law, which ECOWAS co-hosted with the IFRC.
The workshop, which took place from 17 – 19 September 2012 in the humidity of the Dakar summer, hosted over 60 delegates representing 15 countries, including: Disaster management officers from ECOWAS member states and neighbouring countries, Red Cross and Red Crescent representatives and representatives of other humanitarian stakeholders in West Africa. Over the course of the three days, the participants explored how to make best use of the IDRL Guidelines, the pilot IDRL Model Act and related norms for international disaster assistance in the West African context. In addition, the participants were asked to explore the possibility of using legislation to empower communities in the field of disaster risk reduction (DRR).
Mr. Mar Lo, Director of Civil Defence of Senegal, speaking on behalf of the Senegalese Minister for the Interior, noted that the workshop presented the ideal forum to share and learn about the international norms in disaster law and the tools put forward by the IFRC, and noted that the Senegalese government is acutely aware of the regulatory issues involved in Disaster Management and accords them the highest priority.
Each country delegation participating developed a plan on how to evaluate and develop their own legal frameworks for disaster response.