The main findings resulting from a detailed examination of the relevant national legal and policy framework in Colombia pursuant to international disaster assistance, and key recommendations based on the IDRL Guidelines, were presented at this event.
“Our main recommendation is to include attention to international assistance component in our disaster management legislation with criteria to seek international help and facilitate the operations of eligible international humanitarian organizations not based in the country,” noted Teresa Camacho, IDRL Coordinator for the Colombian Red Cross, “We should also develop protocols for coordination between the different authorities (customs and sanitary) in order to guarantee the fast entrance of aid equipment and supplies.”
Over 40 representatives from the Colombian System for Disaster Attention and Prevention, relevant national and local governmental authorities, international and non-governmental organizations, and the Colombian Red Cross attended the workshop and gave their comments on the IDRL draft report that was distributed during the meeting.
The Directorate of Disaster Management noted the progress of the legislation modernization process in Colombia and highlighted the importance and contributions of the IDRL project and Colombian Red Cross in this task. The Directorate and the Colombian Red Cross are now looking at renewing the Cooperation agreement signed exactly a year ago (April 2010), in the view to continue collaborative work in the implementation and use of the IDRL Guidelines in the country.