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Yearbook of International Disaster Law Issue No. 7 (2024) – Published by Brill

The IFRC Disaster Law Annual Report 2023 captures a year of dynamic achievements, strategic partnerships, and tireless advocacy in strengthening legal frameworks for disaster risk reduction and response

This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone: 20 years of IFRC Disaster Law. What began as a pioneering effort to address international disaster response law has become the global leader of comprehensive disaster risk governance.

At the occasion of the 34th International Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Conference, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines in Geneva, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Platform for Disaster Displacement (PDD) are pleased to invite you to attend our side event entitled “Advancing the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters: Exploring Multi-stakeholder Perspectives, Practice Insights and Legal Frameworks”.

This event will discuss ways to advance the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (PPED) and the integration of relevant principles into international frameworks and humanitarian efforts. It will provide an opportunity to discuss how common legal problems impact people affected or displaced in the context of disasters and identify possible solutions to improve protection. Through expert presentations and interactive discussions with International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent’s participants, the event aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of PPED and the collaborative actions needed to enhance the protection of persons in disasters.

Speakers will include:

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Panel Discussion Moderator: Mr. Frank Mohrhauer, IFRC Director, National Society Development Services
Panelist 1: Mr. Dario Garcia Villalta, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Chair, and Secretary, State Secretariat, Disaster Risk Reduction and National Emergency Office, Honduras
Panelist 2: Ms. Irene Dumlao, Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippines
Panelist 3: Ms. Jenty Kirsch-Wood, UNDRR Head of Global Risk Management & Reporting and Senior Programme Management Officer

Professor John Hopkins had a bit of a moment when he walked into a lecture theatre repurposed into a conference room.

Disasters are among the largest threats to human security and development the world is facing today. Is international law stepping up? Are humanitarian actors, institutions and scholars ready to face challenges raised by disasters caused by natural hazards or human activities?

Keeping communities informed before disasters hit can help prevent or reduce their potential impacts. Therefore, it is crucial that adequate early warning systems are integrated into disaster risk management (DRM) frameworks.

On 6 August 2024 at 11h00-12h00 EAT IFRC Disaster Law will host a webinar on Disaster Law as an enabler for Early Warning Early Action (EWEA).

A panel of experts on disaster law came together to discuss the Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters and the prospect of the first global treaty for disasters.

Did you know that discussions are underway on a global treaty to protect people in disasters?