INSARAG IEC-R Leadership Course 2025 – Qatar

The INSARAG IEC/R Leadership Course was held in Doha, Qatar, from 13 to 16 January 2025, hosted by the Qatar team at Lekhwiya Centre. This was the third course of its kind, following those held in Oman (2020) and The Netherlands (2023). The course aims to provide in-depth knowledge of the IEC/R process for individuals preparing to take on leadership roles, including Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Classifiers, Mentors, and representatives of the INSARAG Secretariat.

The course was facilitated by members of the INSARAG Training Working Group, alongside other experts, and brought together 22 participants from around the world.

Over four days, the course focused on key topics such as the Roles and Responsibilities of leadership positions, Negotiation Skills, Exercise Design, Checklist, and Exercise Site Analysis. Knowledge and experiences were exchanged between participants and facilitators to enrich the learning process.

A heartfelt thank you to all the participants, facilitators, and especially to Qatar for graciously hosting this successful course.

IEC EGY-01

Congratulations to the Egyptian Search & Rescue Team EGY-01 for successfully passing the INSARAG External Classification (IEC) as a Medium team from 11 to 15 August 2026 in Egypt! This important achievement highlights the team’s strong operational capabilities, professionalism, and commitment to international search and rescue standards. The classification process, hosted in Egypt, demonstrated the team’s ability to operate effectively in complex emergency environments and to contribute to coordinated international response efforts. This successful classification reflects Egypt’s continued dedication to strengthening global emergency response capacity. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

IER COL-01

Congratulations to the Colombia Urban Search And Rescue Team (COL-01) for successfully passing the INSARAG External Reclassification (IER) in Bogota, Colombia, from 7 to 12 June 2026! This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to international search and rescue of the team. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

Exercise Hosting Coordination Framework in Qatar

On 2 June 2026 an Exercise Hosting Coordination Framework between Lekhwiya and INSARAG was signed in preparation for the INSARAG Global Exercise (Qatar, 25 to 29 October 2026). The arrangement was signed by Ambassador Dominik Stillhart, INSARAG Global Chair, and Staff Brigadier Mubarak Sherida Al Kaabi, Assistant Commander for Administration and Supply.

IEC ITA-02

Congratulations to the Italian Urban Search and Rescue Team ITA-02 for successfully passing the INSARAG External Classification (IEC) as a Light team from 18 to 22 May 2026 in Italy! This important achievement highlights the team’s strong operational capabilities, professionalism, and commitment to international search and rescue standards. The classification process, hosted in Italy, demonstrated the team’s ability to operate effectively in complex emergency environments and to contribute to coordinated international response efforts. This successful classification reflects Italy’s continued dedication to strengthening global emergency response capacity. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

IEC ITA-01

Congratulations to the Italian Urban Search and Rescue Team ITA-01 for successfully passing the INSARAG External Classification (IEC) as a Medium team from 18 to 22 May 2026 in Italy! This important achievement highlights the team’s strong operational capabilities, professionalism, and commitment to international search and rescue standards. The classification process, hosted in Italy, demonstrated the team’s ability to operate effectively in complex emergency environments and to contribute to coordinated international response efforts. This successful classification reflects Italy’s continued dedication to strengthening global emergency response capacity. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

IEC ECU-01

Congratulations to the Ecuadorian Urban Search And Rescue Team (ECU-01) for successfully passing the INSARAG External Classification (IEC) in Quito, Ecuador, from 27 April to 1 May 2026! This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to international search and rescue of the team. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

IER ALG-01

Congratulations to the Algerian Urban Search And Rescue Team (ALG-01) for successfully passing the INSARAG External Reclassification (IER) in Algiers, Algeria, between 13–17 April 2026! This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to international search and rescue of the team. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

4th INSARAG Global Meeting – Brazil

 

The Fourth INSARAG Global Meeting was held in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, from 4 to 10 July 2026 and brought together 368 participants from 41 countries and 18 organizations.

 

The event included the INSARAG Working Group Meetings (4-5 July), which allowed Working Groups to advance on their workplans; the Team Leaders Meeting (6-7 July), which discussed – amongst other themes – the new guidelines and ICMS 3.0; the three Regional Group Meetings (7-8 July), which identified regional priorities and implementation actions for the INSARAG Strategy 2026-2030; and the Fourth INSARAG Global Meeting (9-10 July), which marked the launch of the INSARAG Guidelines (2026) and the adoption of the Foz do Iguaçu Declaration.

 

The Foz do Iguaçu Declaration (attached) is a significant milestone that will guide the future direction of the INSARAG network. The Declaration endorses the INSARAG Strategy 2026-2030, calls for strengthened local and national response capacities, reaffirms commitment to General Assembly resolution 57/150, promotes innovation, partnerships, and flexibility in disaster response, and broadens INSARAG’s focus to a wider range of hazards and disaster contexts.

 

INSARAG Global Meeting Agenda

 

Foz do Iguaçu 2026  Declaration

 

 

Earthquake Response Exercise (ERE) – El Salvador

The INSARAG Americas Regional Earthquake Response Exercise (ERE) is taking place in El Salvador from December 7 to December 10 of 2026.

The main objective of this face-to-face exercise is to practice and strengthen the emergency preparedness and response coordination between national and international actors in support of a disaster-affected country as well as to maintain high quality response capability in an unforeseen condition.