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INSARAG Governance

INSARAG Steering Group​

INSARAG Steering Group is an open meeting, presided by the Global Chair, in which policy topics are being discussed amongst the INSARAG Policy Focal Points of all member states. Members of the ISG include the following:

  • INSARAG Global Chair
  • Chair and Vice-Chairs of each Regional Group
  • INSARAG Secretariat
  • Working Group Co-Chairs
  • INSARAG member states’ INSARAG Policy Focal Point (or delegate)
  • INSARAG classified NGO teams’ representative (or delegate)
  • Representative from the INSARAG Team Leaders group
  • Representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The ISG Meeting takes place every year. The ISG can be prepared in a prior meeting of the Global and Regional Chairs, where the Global Chair, Regional Chairs, Working Groups’ Co-Chairs and the INSARAG Secretariat meet to finalise the discussions on decisions of the past year and to prepare the ISG. The ISG gathers the Global Chair, Regional Chairs and Working Groups’ Co-Chairs, the INSARAG Secretariat and the INSARAG Policy Focal Points with representatives from INSARAG USAR teams and partners, to discuss the developments of the previous year and to decide the direction for the year ahead.

ISG decision-making is only reached by consensus by the INSARAG Policy Focal Points. Consensus is reached when nobody eligible objects.

The INSARAG decision-making structure provides the framework for decision-making and associated processes as approved by the Steering Group in 2013. This structure ensures that INSARAG’s aims can be achieved at a regional level, whilst ensuring full ownership and that objectives are in line with best practices as defined and agreed by the global network.

Decision-making process

INSARAG Global Chair​

The Global Chair should have the broad support of the INSARAG member states. In the Governance Review from 2024, Switzerland kindly offered to fill this position which was endorsed by the ISG.

  • Lead the promotion of the INSARAG methodology and guidelines globally amongst member states and member organisations and promote participation in all INSARAG bodies.
  • Lead advocacy on the implementation of the INSARAG Hyogo, Abu Dhabi and Warsaw Declarations and the UN General Assembly Resolution 57/150.
  • Chair the annual meeting of the Steering Group.
  • Actively coordinate the activities of the Steering Group with the Secretariat, including through regular teleconferences and other meetings.
  • Participate and represent the INSARAG global network in the annual meetings of the other INSARAG bodies (i.e. Regional Group Meetings, Team Leaders Meeting etc.) when available.
  • Represent the INSARAG network globally in relevant meetings, events and the media.

INSARAG Regional Chairs​

The Regional Chair prepares the regional work plan, supported by the outgoing chair. The Chair presents the regional work plan to the INSARAG network. In cooperation with the Vice-Chairs (incoming and outgoing chair), the Chair sets regional priorities for the year. A video/teleconference should be held at least once a year between the Troika of the region and the INSARAG Regional Focal Point.

  • Promote the INSARAG methodology and guidelines amongst member states and member organisations of the region and promote their participation in the INSARAG Regional Group, including events like INSARAG regional earthquake response simulation exercises.
  • Support the implementation of the INSARAG Hyogo, Abu Dhabi and Warsaw Declarations and the UN General Assembly resolution 57/150.
  • Host and co-organise the annual meeting of the Regional Group, with the support of the INSARAG Secretariat and the Vice Chairs (i.e. preparations for the two-day meeting, logistical arrangements, identifying meeting venue, if possible, covering the costs of accommodation to facilitate participation by all member states and member organisations of the Regional Group).
  • Represent the INSARAG network in the region in relevant meetings and events.
  • Participate and represent the region in the annual ISG Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Actively coordinate the activities of the Regional Group with the Secretariat and the Vice-Chairs, including through regular teleconferences and other meetings.
  • If possible, participate and represent the region in the annual meetings of the other INSARAG Regional Groups.
  • Attend induction session organised by the INSARAG Secretariat.

INSARAG Regional Vice-Chairs​

  • Support the INSARAG Regional Chair in their duties
  • Attend induction sessions organised by the INSARAG Secretariat

INSARAG Secretariat​

The INSARAG Secretariat is housed within OCHA, which is the UN Secretariat mandated to mobilise and coordinate multilateral humanitarian action in response to emergencies. The INSARAG Secretariat sits in the Emergency Response Section (ERS) which is part of the Response Support Branch (RSB) of OCHA-Geneva. RSB also manages the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) mechanism.

The Secretariat serves as a direct link between the Global and Regional Chairs, the INSARAG Focal Points, and the INSARAG network. It co-organises all INSARAG meetings, including the Regional Group and Team Leaders Meetings, workshops, IEC/R exercises for USAR teams, and training events, in cooperation with host countries.

The Secretariat is also responsible for the management and maintenance of the INSARAG website. This includes the directory of INSARAG members and their teams.

The Secretariat also facilitates any relevant projects that have been endorsed by the ISG.

See INSARAG Secretariat at Operations to discover the key functions of the INSARAG Secretariat during the internationl USAR response cycle. Furthermore, see INSARAG Secretariat at IEC/R to learn the task and responsibilities of the INSARAG Secretariat during an IEC/R.