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Central Asia is a highly disaster-prone region, subject not only to flooding but also extreme cold and earthquakes. Annually, disasters represent an estimated average cost of $20 million in the region, and scientists forecast an increase of vulnerability in the coming 20 years due to higher seismic activities. The likelihood that international assistance might be needed for future events is growing.

This month, the German and the Netherlands Red Cross Societies have published comprehensive studies on the existing legal and institutional frameworks in their countries for the receipt of international disaster assistance.

The law faculties of the Universities of Bologna, Roma Tre, Uninettuno and Pisa, S. Anna (acting through their "International Disaster Law Project") and the IFRC Disaster Law Programme will co-convene their first joint "International Disaster Law Course" for academics and practioners hosted at the International Institute for Humanitarian Law in Sanremo, Italy on 28 April - 2 May 2014. 

In a unique new partnership, the Italian Red Cross (IRC) and the Università Telematica Internazional Uninettuno (UTIU) in Rome are collaborating to educate IRC volunteers on laws relating to international disaster response (IDRL) and related topics. The first training course was held in May, delivering specialized knowledge on the topic and providing an opportunity for volunteers to become IDRL instructors.

This month a regional court in Italy convicted six earthquake scientists and an ex-government official of multiple manslaughter for the deaths of 309 people killed in the 6.3 earthquake that hit L'Aquila on 6 April 2009. The case has sent shockwaves around the scientific and legal world. It also sends a sobering message for those who offer their expertise towards disaster risk reduction - whether as paid officials or as volunteers.

In mid-September, the Italian Red Cross convened more than 200 volunteer International Humanitarian Law (IHL) instructors in Gaeta (Italy) for its 9th National Conference on IHL. This conference is organized with the assistance of senior scholars from a number of
universities and other institutions to inform Red Cross instructors about the latest developments in international law.

Located in one of the most active seismic zones in the world,  Armenia has experienced some of the most devastating earthquakes in recorded history.  It’s no wonder that Armenian Red Cross Society is looking at new and innovative ways to reduce risk and build resilience in its most populated city.

In 2008, the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARC) launched a project to support communities in developing grassroots disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities and to advocate with local authorities to better address community priorities in practice and through local legislation.

The Afghanistan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) has completed a new report analysing the country’s legal preparedness for international disaster response, entitled “International Disaster Response Law (IDRL) in Afghanistan”.

In early January, the Afghan Red Crescent Society convened a meeting with the Afghan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) and the IFRC to kick-start a new IDRL project in Kabul. The project will entail four months of research into Afghanistan’s existing laws and regulations relevant to international disaster assistance, and an analysis of the legal framework against the IDRL Guidelines with recommendations for improvement.