ACHIEVEMENTS OF INSARAG

The INSARAG has managed to achieve many goals over the years. In all cases these achievements have helped either directly or indirectly the goal of saving more lives following incidents of structural collapse. These achievements include but are not limited to: 

• The successful creation of an UN General Assembly (GA) Resolution 57/150 of 2002 on «Strengthening the Effectiveness and Coordination of International USAR Assistance». This resolution is widely considered to have underpinned much of the progress achieved by the group in recent history.

• The development of INSARAG Guidelines and methodology for USAR operations to ensure standardised training and structures of international USAR teams.

• The development of INSARAG External Classification (IEC) system and IEC Guidelines.

• The development of internationally accepted markings for use on buildings in USAR operations to improve communication of USAR teams on site.

• The development of the methodology for the establishment of a Reception/Departure Centre at the entry points into the affected country to better coordinate team assignment and logistics support on site.

• The development of a concept for rapid disaster assessment and coordination (the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) concept).

• The development of the concept of On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) in sudden-onset disasters in general, not only for earthquakes.

• The establishment of a ‘Virtual OSOCC’ on the Internet for real-time information exchange during ongoing emergencies among involved disaster managers.