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Requesting International Assistance

Decision-Making Processes​

The ability to make swift and informed decisions is pivotal for managing international assistance in emergency situations. This subchapter emphasises the principles that underpin an effective decision-making process and outlines the benefits of this approach.

  • Principles of Effective Decision-Making

    • Clear Communication: Effective decision-making requires clear communication among all stakeholders involved in the emergency response, including national authorities, local agencies, and international partners. Establishing a common communication framework enhances situational awareness and ensures that relevant information is disseminated promptly.
    • Pre-established Protocols: Developing pre-established protocols for various types of emergencies can significantly speed up decision-making. These protocols should outline the steps to be taken, roles and responsibilities, and criteria for activating international assistance.
    • Training and Preparedness: Regular training sessions and simulation exercises for decision-makers and stakeholders can enhance their ability to respond swiftly. Familiarity with established procedures facilitates quicker and more confident decision-making during real emergencies.
    • Integration of Stakeholders: Engaging all relevant stakeholders, such as government agencies, NGOs, and international partners, in the decision-making process cultivates a collaborative atmosphere. This integration guarantees that various perspectives are acknowledged and that decisions are informed and thorough.

  • Benefits of an Effective Decision-Making Process

    • Timely Assistance: A prompt decision-making process guarantees that international assistance is requested and mobilised without delay. This promptness can significantly impact the effectiveness of the response and the overall outcomes for affected populations.
    • Resource Optimisation: Rapid decisions help optimise the use of available resources, minimising waste and ensuring that aid is directed to where it is most needed. Efficient resource allocation can enhance the effectiveness of relief efforts.
    • Enhanced Coordination: An efficient and systematic decision-making process improves coordination among different response actors. It facilitates better alignment of efforts and diminishes the chances of duplicate actions or gaps in support.
    • Enhanced Resilience: By fostering a culture of effective decision-making, the Host Nation can develop resilience for future emergencies. Organisations and stakeholders familiar with rapid decision-making are better prepared to manage crises efficiently.

  • Ensuring an effective decision-making process during emergencies

    • Conduct a swift assessment of the situation to collect initial information on the extent of the disaster and immediate needs.
    • Initiate a request for international assistance as soon as possible, using initial assessment data, and update the request continuously as more information from the field becomes available.
    • Establish clear levels of impact and assessment criteria that will trigger the request for international assistance. This will ensure a standardised approach to determining when external support is needed.
    • Establish a national legal framework for requesting international assistance, including predefined procedures for authorising, receiving, and facilitating the arrival of foreign USAR teams and resources. All INSARAG Classified USAR teams are required to have the following specialist components to work safely and effectively in the collapsed structure environment:
      • Management: Leadership of the team intended to coordinate and integrate efficiently with local emergency management authorities.
      • Search: Personnel and equipment, which may include search dogs, to locate individuals trapped in collapsed structures.
      • Rescue: Personnel and equipment are needed to stabilise structures and to access and extricate trapped individuals safely and efficiently.
      • Medical: Registered medical professionals trained and equipped to treat team members and deliver USAR medicine to patients trapped in collapsed structures.
      • Logistics: Personnel and equipment to ensure self-sufficiency, support the team while deployed, and ensure the deployment does not burden the impacted country.
    • In summary, effective decision-making is crucial for managing international assistance during emergencies. By following the principles of clear communication, pre-established protocols, training, and stakeholder integration, Host Nations can significantly enhance their response capabilities and overall outcomes.

Request for International Assistance​

To ensure timely and effective international assistance requests within the INSARAG framework, it is recommended that the HNS plan aligns the identified capacity needs from potential disaster scenarios (as derived from national risk assessments) with the available international USAR response capacities. This alignment should consider the host nation's existing capacities and the assistance options available through the INSARAG network or bilateral agreements, including international USAR teams, technical experts, and specialised equipment.

INSARAG member states should establish clear procedures at the national level for preparing, authorising and disseminating requests for international USAR assistance via the designated national authorities. This includes regularly updating and maintaining national request forms. It is crucial to develop standardised procedures for different types of incidents and forms of assistance, as various agencies may be involved in preparing and validating the request based on the nature of the disaster.

Requests may vary from country to country, and various ways exist to facilitate international assistance. Depending on their needs, affected countries may employ one or more methods according to their national priorities and regulations:

  • Through bilateral agreements or diplomatic channels between countries.
  • Regional mechanisms include, amongst others, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
  • Via the INSARAG network with support from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

By requesting international USAR assistance, the host nation indicates acceptance of all components of USAR teams. Therefore, any specific restrictions, e.g., non-acceptance of search dogs, drones, or permission to practice USAR medicine, need to be clearly stated by the host nation. This will enable USAR teams to make an informed decision regarding deployment.

It is crucial to engage, train, and exercise all stakeholders in requesting international USAR assistance. This can be accomplished by promoting established procedures, communication channels (such as VOSOCC), and templates in national contingency planning, training courses, and exercises to ensure familiarity with requesting and offering international assistance.

One of the primary tools used in disaster response coordination, the VOSOCC, facilitates information exchange among United Nations organisations and other disaster responders. The aim is to help establish better situational awareness in the early stages of sudden-onset disasters, inform deploying responders of the operational environment, and track responses to support decision-making and coordination.

The VOSOCC facilitates preparedness activities such as meetings, training events, expert discussion forums, and simulation exercises. It is generally utilised during major sudden-onset disasters and supports international coordination in the initial weeks of the response.

Type of Assistance​

The INSARAG Policy Focal Point of a country affected by a disaster shall immediately provide the INSARAG Secretariat with information about the event, including the updated situation report and the need for international assistance. The affected country may request international assistance through the VOSOCC and bilateral or regional mechanisms. However, the INSARAG Secretariat should acknowledge the request due to the effectiveness and efficiency of the overall USAR response coordination.

The affected country shall conduct a rapid assessment during the initial stage following the disaster. If the affected country requires assistance, the INSARAG Secretariat may facilitate the mobilisation of a neighbouring state or the UNDAC team to provide support. Based on the initial assessment findings, the affected country shall specify the type of assistance needed to manage the emergency and ensure the effectiveness of the USAR operations. Types of assistance may include, but are not limited to:

  • INSARAG USAR teams: level of USAR teams' capacity (light, medium, heavy) to support the affected country.
  • Flood Response: The INSARAG Flood Response Directory provides details on INSARAG classified or national USAR teams that have existing capabilities and are prepared to deploy.
  • Damage Assessment: conducting an assessment to determine the extent of damage and priority
  • Technology: utilising advanced technology such as drones and satellite imagery from the affected area for assessment and response planning
  • Other types of assistance, e.g.:
    • World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergency Medical Teams (EMT)
    • Shelter
    • Food and Water