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INSARAG Guidelines

Foreword​

The revision of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Guidelines, which will inform and guide our collective efforts over the next four years, come at a pivotal moment for the global humanitarian system. The Humanitarian Reset is underway in response to a profound shift in humanitarian financing, compelling us to reimagine how we deliver aid while humanitarian needs are increasing. INSARAG stands at the forefront of emergency response, saving lives in acute sudden-onset crises, and will be central to this transformation. The OCHA 2026-2030 Strategic Plan reflects this ambition. These guidelines are more than operational tools - they embody our core humanitarian values, and INSARAG’s collective commitment to evolve alongside the communities we serve.

Amid an increasingly complex humanitarian landscape, INSARAG must adapt - refining coordination methodologies, classification systems, and operations so that these continue to serve their intended purpose while remaining fit-for-purpose. The 2026 edition of the Guidelines incorporates lessons from recent responses, including the 2023 Türkiye and Syria earthquakes, and integrates recommendations from the INSARAG Governance Review. The revised Guidelines also align with the Humanitarian Reset’s emphasis on simplification, accountability, and localizing response.

This edition introduces structural changes to the Guideline volumes, clearer definitions of binding and non-binding provisions, and enhanced procedures for medical practice. The Guidelines also embed gender-neutral language and promote quarterly induction for new focal points, ensuring that the INSARAG network remains inclusive and future-ready.

The revised Guidelines is the outcome of collaborative effort and tireless work by the Guidelines Review Group, the INSARAG Steering Group, and our regional and national partners. I extend my deepest gratitude to all contributors and reaffirm our commitment to supporting Member States and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams in delivering principled, effective, and accountable emergency response.

Tom Fletcher Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs
and Emergency Relief Coordinator
United Nations

INSARAG Guidelines Structure​

The INSARAG Guidelines form the foundation of the document structure of INSARAG.

What: They comprise five volumes:

  • Volume 1 - Policy: This volume describes the policies on which INSARAG is built, governed and is being developed.
  • Volume 2 - National Capacity Building: This volume describes how a nation can build and develop USAR capacity, how it can implement a national system for quality assurance and how this fits into the international standards INSARAG sets.
  • Volume 3 - Operations: This volume describes the operational USAR cycle and the operational and tactical arrangements USAR teams must adhere to during operations.
  • Volume 4 - INSARAG External Classification & Reclassification: This volume describes the international peer review system known as the INSARAG External Classification & Reclassification and its processes and obligations.
  • Volume 5 - Operational Field Guide: This volume serves as a handbook for field operations. It describes the operational activities for each USAR team component per phase in the operational USAR cycle.

How: Once in 5 years the Guidelines (Volumes) are updated by the Guidelines Review Working Group based on the general decision-making in both the Team Leaders Meeting and the INSARAG Steering Group. The final version of the Guidelines (Volumes 1 to 5) is endorsed by the INSARAG Steering Group. Normally a period of 9 months after this decision is taken into account for the new Guidelines to be effective.

Binding effect: The Guidelines (Volumes 1 to 5) are binding documents for all member states of INSARAG. INSARAG members base their policies and practices on the binding content of the INSARAG Guidelines and Appendices. If members have policies and/or practices in place that are not in conformity with the binding content of the INSARAG Guidelines and Appendices, they are to forward to the INSARAG Secretariat a plan describing how they will reach conformity.

INSARAG Guidelines Review​

To facilitate continuous improvement in classified teams, while maintaining the relevance of INSARAG in a rapidly evolving environment, the INSARAG Guidelines undergo a regularised five-year review cycle led by the INSARAG Guidelines Review Group (GRG).

The principal considerations of the review are that the final product should reflect an evolution in practice rather than a revolution, embrace new technology and development and act as a lean and easy reference material for policy and decision makers as well as USAR teams for training, preparedness and field operations.

Formed under the mandate of the ISG during the INSARAG Global Meeting, the GRG’s tenure runs through the five-year review cycle and comprises members drawn from all three INSARAG regions, existing Working Groups and the INSARAG Secretariat.

During this period, the GRG will work closely with the other Working Groups and consolidate feedback from the INSARAG community through different platforms. The review progress will be tracked at the annual ISG Meeting, and the final version will be endorsed by the ISG for launch during the INSARAG Global Meeting.

Guidance Appendices and Technical Reference Library​

The INSARAG Guidance Appendices and Technical Reference Library are two “live” knowledge management platforms that can be accessed on insarag.org. The key difference is that materials residing in the Technical Reference Library are non-binding unlike those in the Guidance Appendices.

INSARAG endorsed documents, such as the guidance appendices, IEC/R checklist and USAR Coordination (UC) Handbook, would be placed under the Guidance Appendices, while the Technical Reference Library is a knowledge repository for best practices that have been endorsed for sharing by the respective INSARAG Operational Focal Point and the respective INSARAG Working Group.

Note: The information shared in the Technical Reference Library are good practices that are effective and beneficial to specific teams. The INSARAG Secretariat and the authors will not in any way be held accountable to the users, and users are strongly encouraged to contact the authors of the technical reference document for more information, if required.

Guidance Appendices​

The Guidance Appendices form the second layer of the document structure of INSARAG.

What: They comprise the next types of documents (basically all Guidance Appendices):

  • Guidance Appendices to Volumes: All of the Volumes 1 to 5 have one or more appendices that hold extra information.
  • Handbooks: Handbooks hold in depth explanations on a certain topic and serve as knowledge base. The USAR Coordination Handbook is the best known and most used handbook.
  • Checklists: Checklists hold overviews of topics to check. The IEC/R Checklist is the best known and most used checklist.
  • Forms: Forms are ready-to-fill-in templates, mostly used for USAR coordination. They form the paper backup for ICMS. Forms basically are appendices to Volume 5.

How: Once a year the Guidance Appendices can, not must, be updated by the respective Working Group. A yearly update is not mandatory and only relevant if changes are needed. The final version of the Guidance Appendices is endorsed by either the Team Leaders Meeting (operational topics only) or the INSARAG Steering Group (changes with policy and/or financial implications). Normally a period of 9 months after this decision is taken into account for the new Guidelines to be effective.

Binding effect: The Guidance Appendices are an integral part to the Guidelines and thus are binding documents for all member states of INSARAG. INSARAG members base their policies and practices on the binding content of the INSARAG Guidelines and Guidance Appendices. If members have policies and/or practices in place that are not in conformity with the binding content of the Guidance Appendices, they are to forward to the INSARAG Secretariat a plan describing how they will reach conformity.

Technical Reference Library​

The third layer of the document structure of INSARAG is formed by the Technical Reference Library.

What: The Technical Reference Library (TRL) is a knowledge repository for the best practices that have been shared by the respective national Operational Focal Point (FP) and the respective INSARAG Working Group (WG).

How: Identified best practices, e.g. from after action reviews, can be shared by Policy and/or Operational Focal Points with the relevant Working Group(s) for knowledge sharing in the INSARAG network. Working Groups themselves can develop technical references to relevant topics. After consultation with and approval of the relevant Working Group(s), the Focal Point and/or the Working Group can request publication in the TRL on www.insarag.org.

Binding effect: Technical References are good/best practises and hence are non-binding. However, they may be referred to during meetings, IEC/R’s and exercises.

Conclusion​

The INSARAG Guidelines, prepared by USAR responders and representatives of INSARAG Member States, are recognised by the UN General Assembly Resolution 57/150 as “a flexible and helpful reference tool for disaster preparedness and response efforts.” It is a relevant document, being improved with the lessons learned from major international USAR operations and/or exercises. It is also the reference document for capacity building at all levels. The Guidelines represent best practice, and all affected and assisting countries are committed to actively implement and practice these internationally accepted procedures and to contribute to its further development. The INSARAG Network has been consulted in the lead-up to the Global Meeting 2026 on the key strategic objectives. For the next four years, INSARAG will continue to focus on reinforcing quality standards and coordination, advancing flexible assistance, enhancing preparedness, and bolstering partnerships. I would like to thank all the members of INSARAG who have supported the work and activities of the network since its establishment. We should be proud of what INSARAG has achieved, and we should continue with even greater determination to implement UN General Assembly Resolution 57/150 at all levels worldwide.

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Ambassador Dominik Stillhart
INSARAG Global Chair