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Contact The Flexible Response Working Group (FRWG) was established in 2020 following the recommendation of the INSARAG Steering Group (ISG) to discuss and explore the potential for the development of adaptable and flexible response operations, in a global context of constantly changing response environment in which there has been an increase in extreme weather-related disasters requiring other specialized capacities in urban search and rescue activities.
The FRWG was established with three Sub-groups, one of which, the Global Position Sub-Group, concluded its work in 2023 presenting their report and recommendations to the ISG 2023.
The ISG 2023 endorsed nine areas, one of which is for the establishment of a Flood Response Working Group and directed the INSARAG Secretary to facilitate its organization.
The FRW closed in 2023 and part of its work is performed by the SAR in Flood Response Working Group.
The INSARAG National Capacity Building Working Group (NCB WG) was established to enhance national capacity building in disaster response, transitioning from the earlier National Accreditation Working Group formed in 2020. This group aligns with INSARAG’s Strategic Plan for 2021-2026, particularly its goal to localize emergency response coordination and improve national-level Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capacities. The NCB WG focuses on adapting INSARAG’s coordination methodologies to local contexts, fostering community preparedness, and supporting national accreditation processes. Its scope includes providing technical guidance for establishing national USAR frameworks, helping countries integrate international USAR teams, and developing customized capacity-building strategies for member states.
The NCB WG will operate for three years with members from all three INSARAG regions, who possess extensive USAR and INSARAG experience. It will review and update important documents such as the INSARAG Guidelines and the Technical Guidance Note on the INSARAG Recognized National Accreditation Process (IRNAP). Additionally, it will offer support in training national experts and technical groups involved in accreditation. The working group reports to the INSARAG Steering Group and will conduct both virtual and in-person meetings, aligned with global or regional INSARAG events. Key deliverables include updates to INSARAG guidelines and support for the First Responder Training Programme.
NCB WG Contacts
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Last week the INSARAG Asia-Pacific International Earthquake Response Exercise (IERE) named as “SIMEX China 2021”, hosted by China and strongly supported by the Asia-Pacific Chair Indonesia, Member States, and relevant partners and organizations, took place virtually for 3 days, from the 24 November to 26 November.
The Asia-Pacific Region is one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world. For this reason, this IERE was essential for the regional group to review its response capacities. This online event provided a platform through which participants practiced international coordination of Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs),INSARAG and UNDAC, reflecting the emergency response coordination system of China.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the “SIMEX China 2021” was a great success with participants from over 30 countries and 4 different international organizations, connecting from all over the world.
