International Search and Rescue Advisory Group

The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) is an advisory body established in 1991 to facilitate coordination among the various international search and rescue teams. It focuses on Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and aims to establish standards and classifications as well as a methodology for international response coordination in the aftermath of earthquakes and collapsed structure disasters. The INSARAG Secretariat is located in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.^[1]

INSARAG

International Search and Rescue Advisory Group
Agency overview
Agency executive	Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, Secretary of INSARAG
Parent agency	UNOCHA
Website	www.insarag.org

History

German aid organization "@fire" classified by INSARAG as the world's first "USAR Light" earthquake rescue team

INSARAG was established in 1991 following initiatives of international USAR teams that responded to the 1988 Armenia earthquake and the 1985 Mexico City earthquake.^[2] The United Nations was chosen as the INSARAG Secretariat to facilitate international participation and coordination. The INSARAG Secretariat is hosted in Geneva in the Emergency Response Section (ERS) of the Response Support Branch (RSB) (previously known as the "Field Coordination Support Section of the Emergency Services Branch") of OCHA.^[3]

INSARAG activities are guided by UN General Assembly Resolution 57/150 of 16 December 2002 on "Strengthening the Effectiveness and Coordination of International Urban Search and Rescue Assistance", and by the INSARAG Hyogo Declaration adopted from the first INSARAG Global Meeting in 2010 in Kobe, Japan.

INSARAG participated in relief efforts following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.Citation needed

INSARAG played a key role in the response to the 2023 earthquake in Turkey.^[4]

Mandate

On 25 April 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal, killing over 5,000 people, and injuring thousands more. The UK responded to a request for international help, sending search and rescue teams, emergency medics and logistical support. Here, Gary Carroll and his dog Diesel from the UK's International Search and Rescue team go to work in Chautara, Sindhupalchok District – northeast of Kathmandu, Nepal.

The INSARAG Mandate entails:^[5]

• The development of effective international USAR procedures and operational standards,
• Implementing the "Strengthening the Effectiveness" document,
• Improving cooperation and coordination amongst international USAR teams at disaster sites,
• Promoting activities to improve USAR preparedness in disaster-prone countries,
• Development of standardized guidelines and procedures,
• Sharing best practices amongst national and international USAR teams, and
• Defining standards for minimum requirements of international USAR teams.

Membership

Any country or organization involved in urban search and rescue (USAR) may become a member of INSARAG. Countries seeking membership must designate a national focal point to serve as the liaison with the INSARAG Regional Group and the Secretariat. Organizations must submit their membership applications to the Secretariat via their national focal point. Member countries with USAR teams that deploy internationally are strongly encouraged to pursue INSARAG External Classification (IEC), though this is not a requirement for membership.

INSARAG members participate in a global knowledge-sharing network focused on collapsed structure rescue and operational coordination. Members are invited to annual regional meetings and are encouraged to contribute to INSARAG working groups. Members are expected to have access to the Virtual OSOCC (Virtual On-Site Operations Coordination Centre) and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), which provide real-time alerts, updates, and coordination tools during sudden-onset and ongoing disasters. The USAR Directory, maintained by the INSARAG Secretariat, offers an overview of INSARAG member countries and their respective USAR teams.^[6]

Leadership

On 12 November 2019 the INSARAG members convened in Argentina for their annual meeting.

As of February 2023, the leadership was composed of a Secretary and regional sub-Secretaries, as follows:^[7]

• Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, Secretary of INSARAG
• Haruka Ezaki, INSARAG Secretariat Asia-Pacific
• Lucien Jaggi, INSARAG Secretariat Middle East and North Africa
• Clement Kalonga, INSARAG Secretariat Africa
• Ana Maria Rebaza, INSARAG Secretariat Americas
• Stefania Trassari, INSARAG Secretariat Europe and CIS