Czech National Committee for Natural Disaster Reduction

Good Practices:
Czech National Committee for Disaster Reduction (Czech NC DR) regards as one of its key roles to ensure regular meetings and communication of people from different parts of emergency or more generally disaster reduction system. We feel that our approach to have the committee not based on official state structures like inter-ministerial commission etc. brings friendly, quick and, efficient exchange of expertise and knowledge among the committee members. Meetings are organized three or four times a year and each of them is devoted to a specific topic from the DR agenda like – floods, geologically-based disasters, forecasting and warning services, energetical crises, information systems and dissemination of warning, etc. Specialists on these topics (often members of the NC) present their lectures and experience. Each of these meetings takes place at a seat of one of the members so participants can see how the contribution and facilities for DR are realized on these different places and parts of DR. The members also keep an updated database of e-mails, mobile phone numbers to facilitate fast contacts in the case of real emergency situation or disaster. Similarly, once a year delegates of NCs (platforms) meet in a framework of CEUDIP at different Central European countries to discuss specific subjects from DR and exchange recent news form DR process in their respective countries.

Lessons learned:
Czech NC DR has proved several times during two recent catastrophic events (floods 2002, 2006) and during many smaller emergency situations very useful fast personal contacts among the NC members, which helped in mutual exchange of data, information and facilitation of services before and during these emergency events. The contacts were more efficient than through official network system and helped to overall efficiency of DR or emergency system.

Ivan Obrusnik
Chairman of the Czech NC DR                      2.2.2007

German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV)

The German Committee for Disaster Reduction views itself as a forum for dialogue aimed at informing society about disaster reduction, bringing together relevant players. It focuses in the areas of science, policy, business, society and rescue services integrating the various relevant ongoing activities. Our goal is to make disaster reduction an integral part of approaches and action in the political, scientific and social realms.

Recently the DKKV implemented the following activities which could be seen as good practices for the work of a national platform for disaster reduction.

1. Overview of disaster management study courses (Bachelor and Master)
(Contribution to Priority for Action 3:Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels). Traditionally disaster management study courses were only offered by the university of applied science of the fire brigades in Germany. Additional high level staff had a background in natural sciences and engineering. Due to the better understanding of the complexity of disasters and disaster reduction, an increasing need for professional training at the level of universities was realised. A number of universities and technical universities started to prepare curricula independent from each other. Thus, the need to establish an information exchange between the different actors, to avoid duplications and to provide an overview to all potential users came up.

Why is this initiative a good practice?
A coordinated exchange of information between 18 different university training centres became established. A comprehensive overview was developed and put on the web, providing information to the public. The ongoing initiatives and activities were presented to the disaster management community at several meetings. The information is regularly updated.

How many people have benefited and how?
The exact figure is not known. In different parts of Germany the media reported about the initiative and consequently requests for more information were made to DKKV by phone and e-mail.

How does this initiative contribute to the overall DRR in your country?
The initiative contributed to a closer inter linkage between a number of university training centres on a country wide level. In the preparation of the different curricula already existing training courses and modules could be considered. Thus, duplications became minimised. A comprehensive overview was made public. Hence, interested students can get first hand information on which training is established where. A closer link between future students in disaster management and training centres came into existence. The initiative thus contributes to an improvement of disaster management training in Germany.

What is the contribution of National Platforms?
The German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) took the initiative to offer a platform for exchange of information an voluntary coordination of the different initiatives. Information was circulated widely to experts, universities and interested public. Regular update of information is done by DKKV.

2. Preparation of information material for the public with regard to natural hazards.
(Contribution to Priority for Action 3:Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels)
Beside local initiatives only very few material with information on how to behave in case of a natural hazard is available in Germany. The anticipated effects of climate change and the experience of the heat wave in 2003 led to an initiative taken by the German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) to produce information material on behaviour in case of strong wind events and heat waves for distribution to the public. The production of the leaflets was financially supported by the Ministry of transport, which is the responsible ministry for the German Weather Service.

Why is this initiative a good practice?
The information material was developed by a broad number of actors including the German Weather Service, the German Red Cross, the Fire Brigade Hamburg, the Federal Office for Civil Protection (BBK), the University Leipzig and the Ministry of Transport. Every organisation involved contributed its special expertise to the product.

How many people have benefited and how?
The information material was produced in a print run of 150.000 copies each. Additionally pdf-files of the flyer were linked to the web pages of all participating organisations. The first series of the flyers was advertised by distributing them as a loose insert to a well known magazine (print run 15.000). Mainly multiplicators like teachers, communal services, fire brigades and civil protection organisations sent in requests for up to 1.000 flyers each. Distribution than took place during training sessions or as outlays in town halls or fire stations. Additional numbers were downloaded from the websites.

How does this initiative contribute to the overall DRR in your country?
The initiative provided to the public understandable information on how to behave in case of certain hazards. Thus, it contributed to a better understanding of natural hazards and an improved preparedness of the population in Germany. At the same time the initiative improved the cooperation between different actors involved in disaster management in Germany.

What is the contribution of National Platforms?
The German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) provided the umbrella to bring the different actors together. All parties involved were members of DKKV. Without a national platform it is very unlikely that the very different organisations would have engaged in such a collective effort.

3. Third International Early Warning Conference (EWC III)
(Contribution to Priority for Action 2: Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning) Following the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean in December 2004 the German Government offered at the World Conference for Disaster Reduction (WCDR) in Kobe, Japan, to host the Third International Conference on Early Warning (EWC III). This initiative taken by the German Government was a continuation of Germany’s long standing commitment to early warning as one of the most effective components of disaster reduction. Germany already hosted the EWC I in 1998 and the EWC II in 2003. The conference was co-organized by the Federal Foreign Office, the German National Platform for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) and the UNISDR secretariat. The programme was designed in two parallel strings. A projects forum where different hazards and Early Warning possibilities were discussed and project proposals presented and a scientific forum which focused on the most burning issues of early warning from the scientific point of view.

Why is this initiative a good practice?
The conference is a good practice in two ways. First of all it was a timely and appropriate reaction of a member state of the UN to actual events and the need for an international forum to discuss consequences. It coincided with the call of the SG of the UN for a Global Early Warning System for all hazards. It contributed to the global survey of early warning system coordinated by UNISDR.

Additionally the preparation, programme development and execution of the conference was a joint effort of a national government, a United Nations secretariat and a non governmental organisation being part of an United Nations Strategy.

How many people have benefited and how?
The exact figure is not known. More than 1.400 participants were registered. In different parts of Germany and internationally the media reported about the initiative and consequently requests for more information were made to DKKV and UNISDR by phone and e-mail.

How does this initiative contribute to the overall DRR?
The conference once again put early warning as an important element in the broader framework of DRR in the frontline of interest of civil society, private sector and political decision makers. In the preparation to the conference more than 100 early warning projects were collected, partly presented at the conference and compiled in a publication. Some projects already received funding based on the interest generated at the EWC III.

What is the contribution of National Platforms?
The German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) was one of three partners preparing and organising the conference. The members of the National Platform contributed with their expertise to the design the programme. As an example the programme of the scientific part of the conference was developed by members of DKKV. Additionally members of DKKV  provided funds to cover travel costs for participants from developing countries and to co-sponsored the conference.

Karl-Otto Zentel
Executive Director

Good Practice for Disaster Risk Reduction in Sweden

Introduction
The major natural hazards in Sweden are related to floods, extreme precipitation, windstorms, landslides, forest fire and avalanches. The key concerns in relation to these hazards are to prevent and mitigate the consequences of natural disasters and a changed climate.

The Swedish Platform for DRR
The Swedish platform for DRR has not been fully established. The Swedish government has commissioned the Swedish Rescue Services Agency (SRSA) to implement the platform, which will take place during 2007-2008.

SRSA will coordinate the platform. There will be a meeting with 14 governmental agencies and institutes in September 2007, which will be a milestone in the implementation process. At that meeting the objectives and the organization of the platform will be discussed and the first alignments will be made.

Major Swedish initiatives related to HFA implementation
One major contribution to the DRR in Sweden is the efforts by the Government Commission on Climate and Vulnerability, which is working from June 2005 until Oct 2007. The commission will survey the consequences of a changed climate on infrastructure, public health and biodiversity. The commission will also propose measures to prevent and mitigate negative climate effects. The conclusions from the commission will be a major input to the Swedish platform agenda.
In January 2007 the Swedish government commissioned SRSA to start the implementation of a Swedish platform under the Hyogo Framework for Action, in order to strengthen the coordination of national efforts to prevent and mitigate natural disasters. The implementation process will proceed during 2007 and 2008.
The SRSA has been preparing the platform during 2006-2007 and there are several ongoing activities, regarding e.g. communication (website: www.raddningsverket.se/nationellplattform, information pamphlets, etc), cooperation with other countries (both on an European and a bilateral level) and within our agency (with the International Department and their mission regarding development aid), and coordination with the implementation of a Swedish database for natural disasters.
Another important administrative factor in Sweden is a possible fusion of SRSA, the Swedish Emergency Management Agency and the National Board of Psychological Defence. There is a governmental commission working on this issue and their report will be presented in May 2007. If there will be a fusion, it will probably take place during 2008.

Good Practice

General flood inundation mapping
Almost every year Sweden is affected by floods resulting in damage. Damage can be limited through prevention planning and effective response operations during flood emergencies. For this purpose the SRSA compiles and maintains general flood inundation maps. These are created as basic data for prevention work with the help of a watercourse model for those areas close to watercourses that are at risk of flooding. The maps are intended for use during the planning of emergency and rescue services and as a foundation for land use planning by municipalities. They can also be used as basic data for various risk and vulnerability analyses. Approximately 10 % of the rivers in Sweden are to be mapped, which corresponds to 10 000 km. At present date (2007) about 7 500 km are mapped.

River coordination groups
Since 1995 river coordination groups have been established in Sweden. The task for these groups is to coordinate flood prevention and mitigation on a catchment level. The county administrative boards convene and chair the cooperation between member organisations. The preventive work includes building networks, carrying out preparedness plans and organizing seminars. Each member organisation has its own responsibility during the response phase of a flood event.

General stability mapping
There are areas in Sweden that because of their location, topography and geology are susceptible to landslides. A large number of buildings were constructed before careful consideration of the risks for natural disasters became common practice during physical planning by municipalities. Therefore, some buildings have been established in landslide sensitive areas. As support for municipal risk management, general stability mapping are carried out in areas with existing buildings. The maps show areas that are susceptible to landslides and areas that are in need of a detailed geotechnical survey to elucidate ground stability. Many municipalities with hazardous ground conditions have access to this type of survey mapping.

Information System: Fire-risk - Forest & Land
A national information system called Fire-risk - Forest & Land has been developed to support municipal fire & rescue services and the county administrative boards. The objective is to assess the risk of vegetation fires, and the system is available on the Internet. The system includes e.g. relevant information about how the weather can influence the risk of vegetation fires. Basic data for prevention work is provided together with decision-making support during emergency response operations. Similar warning systems are also in operation for floods, windstorms and snowstorms.

National resources for major forest fires and floods
During major forest fires, the national level can support municipalities with specific extra resources. There are regional resource depots for forest fires, primarily to provide support for the municipal fire & rescue services. Materiel resources are contained in 24 modules distributed around the country. The modules can easily be relocated in case of a major incident. The equipment consists mainly of motor pumps, hoses, monitors, nozzles and branch pipes of varying sizes.
During major floods the national level can support municipalities with specific extra resources, which consist of e.g. sandbags, temporary flood barriers and water pumps. The incident commander can requisition materiel via the SRSA’s duty officer.

Government subsidies for preventive work for natural disasters
For built-up areas, in which the consequences of natural disasters can be especially serious, the government at present allocates 40 million SEK per year for preventive measures. Municipalities that have carried out or are going to carry out preventive measures can apply for a subsidy from these funds. Flood prevention can take the form of embankments and dykes, pumping equipment or closing devices for water supply and sewage systems.

Landslide prevention can take the form of slope stabilisation measures, such as excavation of masses, stabilising berms, erosion protection measures, drainage measures, or ground-strengthening with lime cement columns. In certain cases the only economically defensible method to prevent an emergency is to remove the threatened object.

Swedish database for natural disasters
SRSA, in collaboration with other concerned authorities, is developing a database for natural disaster events in Sweden. The contents of the database should be based on lessons-learnt by authorities during and after natural disasters. The background of this commission is that there is currently no coordinated information in Sweden about natural disasters, their consequences or observations and lessons-learnt from the various bodies involved. The database will consist of different types of natural disasters in Sweden, such as floods, extreme precipitation, storms, landslides, erosion, forest fires, avalanches and earthquakes.

International humanitarian aid
Since 1988 the SRSA has carried out over 180 aid mis­sions and emergency and rescue operations in approx­imately 60 countries, most of which have been financed by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida. The tasks vary, from direct humanitarian aid missions to search & rescue teams following earthquakes, or to support other or­ganisations. Other types of missions include long-term development and reconstruction and recovery following disasters or conflicts. In the implementation and coordination of the Swedish platform for DRR, the national and international work will be closely integrated.

Lisa Mattsson, +46 54 13 53 68
E-mail lisa.mattsson@srv.se

Swiss National Platform for Natural Hazards (PLANAT)

Introduction/Issue

La superficie de la Suisse (41'290 km2) est constituée par plus de 70% de terrains montagneux. De ce fait, les dangers d’origine naturelle les plus fréquents sont les dangers de type avalanches, glissements de terrains, chutes de pierres, éboulements, inondations, laves torrentielles et grêle. Plus rarement mais de manière brutale, on peut observer des tremblements de terre, tempêtes, vagues de chaleur ou de froid et des incendies de forêts. Les risques effectifs les plus importants sont les orages et les températures extrêmes (21% chacun), tempêtes (12%), inondations (15%), tremblements de terre (12%), avalanches (11%) et mouvements de terrains (4% ; chiffres issus de KATARISK : Office fédéral de la protection de la population, 2003).

Jusqu’à présent, la sécurité vis-à-vis des dangers naturels s’est souvent limitée à une protection sectorielle, uniquement axée contre les dangers les plus fréquents. A présent, il est indispensable de prendre en compte une approche multidisciplinaire basée sur la notion de risque, et ne plus négliger les événements rares mais destructeurs dans la planification de cette protection. Il s’agit d’un véritable défi social, qui implique la participation de tous, aussi bien les pouvoirs publics que privés, ainsi que la population tout entière. Il faut définir des objectifs de protection tolérables pour la société, afin d’atteindre un niveau de sécurité comparable pour l’ensemble du territoire, et planifier les mesures correspondantes selon une gestion intégrée des risques considérant les aspects de prévention, de préparation, d’intervention et de reconstruction de manière pondérée. Il faut aussi identifier les nouveaux risques suffisamment tôt, notamment ceux qui pourraient être issus des changements climatiques (par exemple, instabilités liées à la fonte du permafrost, événements extrêmes, etc.).

Brief information on National Platform

La plate-forme nationale Suisse PLANAT a été créée par le Conseil fédéral (gouvernement) en 1997, au cours de la décennie internationale pour la réduction des catastrophes naturelles de l’ONU (1990-1999), dans le but d’améliorer la sécurité contre les dangers naturels sur l’ensemble de la Suisse.

PLANAT est une commission extraparlementaire composée de 20 experts, qui représentent personnellement les principaux milieux concernés par la thématique des dangers naturels au niveau national. Ainsi, les offices fédéraux, les autorités cantonales, le domaine de la recherche, le secteur privé et les assurances possèdent chacun un représentant au moins. Ces membres sont élus par le gouvernement pour une période renouvelable de 4 ans, et peuvent rester actifs 12 ans au maximum. A l’avenir, il n’est pas exclu que les domaines des médias et/ou de l’agriculture soient également représentés.

La mission confiée à PLANAT est de s’occuper des aspects de prévention au niveau stratégique et national. Ses interlocuteurs principaux sont constitués par le Conseil fédéral, le Parlement et les Cantons. La plate-forme est un organe de coordination et de communication permettant d’harmoniser le travail de l’ensemble des acteurs concernés selon les lignes stratégiques préalablement fixées. Le leitmotiv de la PLANAT pourrait être résumé par la phrase suivante : « de la défense contre les dangers vers une culture du risque ».

PLANAT est placée sous la présidence d’un de ses membres, qui donne les impulsions principales aux activités entreprises. Un secrétariat permanent composé de 3 personnes (temps d’occupation total de 120%) apporte un soutien administratif, représente les intérêts de la plate-forme en Suisse comme à l’étranger, et assure une coordination continue dans le cadre des activités de tous les membres. Actuellement, ce secrétariat est rattaché à l’Office fédéral de l’environnement (OFEV).

Le comité exécutif de PLANAT, composé de 6 membres, se réuni 3 fois par année. L’ensemble des 20 membres se réunit également 3 fois par année lors des assemblées plénières, qui sont aussi l’occasion d’excursions informatives sur le terrain. Des groupes de travail spécifiques (information/communication, international, sécurité, …) se réunissent périodiquement lors de l’accompagnement de certains projets spécifiques. Au besoin, une séance spéciale supplémentaire peut réunir tout le monde pour traiter d’un sujet urgent.

Major national initiatives related to HFA implementation

Depuis la conférence mondiale de Kobe en janvier 2005, PLANAT a lancé un plan d’action pour la période 2005-2008. Ce projet consiste en la mise en pratique de la stratégie suisse en matière de gestion des dangers naturels élaborée par PLANAT en 2002. Cette stratégie est parfaitement compatible avec le cadre d’action de Hyogo (HFA) sur le plan national. Plusieurs projets sectoriels sont actuellement en cours de réalisation, dont les résultats seront synthétisés dans un rapport qui sera remis en 2008 au Conseil fédéral, et permettront de proposer un nouveau plan d’action pour la période suivante (2008-2011).

Chaque projet du plan d’action correspond à un certain besoin d’agir, identifié par un rapport de synthèse récent, qui présentait l’état de la situation en 2004 en matière de protection contre les dangers naturels en Suisse. Le rapport de synthèse a mis en évidence quels sont les principaux acteurs impliqués dans la thématique des dangers naturels, l’ensemble des méthodes utilisées ainsi que les moyens financiers investis en Suisse. Les projets en cours ont été attribués à la suite d’appels d’offres ouverts. Jusqu’à présent, la réalisation des mandats a été majoritairement confiée au secteur privé, alors que certains d’entre eux sont traités par des instituts de recherche (Université de Saint-Gall, Ecole polytechnique de Zurich).

La réalisation des projets incombe aux mandataires cités ci-dessus. La communication des résultats des projets, dès 2008, se fera à partir de PLANAT en direction du Conseil fédéral (gouvernement) et des différents offices fédéraux concernés, qui ensuite transmettront les informations nécessaires aux Cantons, puis aux Communes. Il n’est pas dans le rôle de PLANAT d’atteindre directement chaque citoyen Suisse, mais d’enclencher un véritable dialogue du risque « top - down », qui concernera tout le monde par un effet « boule de neige » souhaité. PLANAT élabore les appels d’offre et distribue les mandats aux mandataires qu’elle choisit. Au cours de la réalisation des projets, elle accompagne les travaux au moyen de groupes de travail ad hoc, prend position sur les résultats partiels et approuve les versions finales des rapports.

Le rôle de PLANAT est de travailler au niveau stratégique, et d’élaborer des bases théoriques qui pourront être utilisées ensuite par les Cantons, qui sont responsables de la mise en pratique selon leur propre législation.

Une initiative fructueuse a consisté récemment à impliquer l’apport des sciences sociales dans la réalisation d’un projet destiné à mieux connaître la conscience et la perception de la population face aux risques, notamment face au risque de crue (http://www.planat.ch/ressources/planat_product_de_483.pdf). Les résultats de cette étude ont montré des différences de perception selon les régions géographiques (montagne, plaine) ou linguistiques (Suisse allemande, Suisse romande, Suisse italienne). Cela permet ensuite de définir des publics cibles, vers lesquels il faut communiquer chaque fois avec un message précis et différencié, afin que la conscience du risque soit la plus proche possible de la réalité et puisse permettre de développer une responsabilité individuelle face aux événements et au risque résiduel.

Good Practice

La stratégie Suisse: “Sécurité contre les dangers naturels” (2004, disponible à l’adresse : http://www.planat.ch/ressources/planat_product_fr_367.pdf). Il s’agit d’une bonne pratique dans la mesure où ce document est le fruit d’une consultation multidisciplinaire avancée et qu’il propose des mesures allant dans le sens de la durabilité. La notion de gestion intégrée du risque et la planification intégrale des mesures qui en découle, permettent d’opérer des choix sécuritaires économiques et durables, dans l’intérêt de la société tout entière. D’une manière générale, la première étape incontournable de ce concept consiste à identifier le risque (que peut-il se passer et où ?), en réalisant notamment des cartes de dangers de manière systématique. Dans une deuxième étape, il s’agit d’évaluer le risque (que peut-on accepter ?), en fixant des objectifs de protection acceptables pour la population en fonction des enjeux et des moyens financiers à disposition. Par la suite, plusieurs possibilités existent pour réduire le risque, dans le cadre de la planification intégrée des mesures :

1. éviter le risque, par des mesures d’aménagement du territoire ;
2. limiter le risque, par des mesures de protection techniques (digues, barrages, filets paravalanches, etc.), biologiques (forêts protectrices, revitalisation des cours d’eau, etc.), organisationnelles et/ou d’urgence ;
3. transférer le risque, par une couverture d’assurance appropriée ;
4. connaître, accepter le risque résiduel et développer la responsabilité individuelle.

L’impact de la stratégie et de sa mise en oeuvre devra concerner toute la population sur le long terme. Il est naturellement impossible de quantifier pour le moment le nombre de vies sauvées par la prise de mesures appropriées et allant dans le sens de la stratégie PLANAT, encore très récente. Néanmoins, un concept de protection compatible avec cette stratégie (Engelberger Aa, canton de Nidwald) a permis de démontrer, lors des crues 2005, que 26 Mio. de Francs suisses avaient permis d’éviter des dégâts se montant à 100 Mio. lors d’un seul événement.

De par son mandat gouvernemental, la plate-forme nationale suisse est le seul organisme d’envergure nationale à être en mesure d’élaborer des concepts stratégiques unifiés. Les instituts de recherches sont compétents pour le développement d’outils scientifiques et techniques, alors que les offices fédéraux sont quant à eux responsables du niveau opérationnel, c’est-à-dire de la mise en œuvre des concepts stratégiques auprès des cantons et des communes notamment. La constitution extraparlementaire de PLANAT signifie que ses membres ne sont pas des politiciens appartenant au Parlement, ce qui confère à la plate-forme un statut politiquement neutre et permet ainsi de prendre les bonnes décisions en toute liberté, dans le but suprême de la diminution des risques naturels d’une façon globale. Une publication sur les expériences de PLANAT (« Toolbox ») depuis sa création sera présentée à l’occasion de la première Global Platform, du 5 au 7 juin 2007 à Genève, comme contribution à l’échange de savoir faire international.

Good Practice for Disaster Risk Reduction in Hungary

According to the UN General Assembly resolution of 57/150 about “the strengthening the effectiveness of international urban search and rescue assistance” and in harmonization with the civilian strategy of the National Directorate General for Disaster Management, NDGDM was aiming to train uniformly national and international voluntary search and rescue organizations.

The objective was to train and prepare rescue teams – based on the UN INSARAG Guidelines - , which can take part in a mission in case of international disaster assistance and represent the Hungarian Government.

With collaboration of the expert of UN OCHA a III-phase training system was established. I. phase of the training began in 2004, which was the “Train of the trainers” course. During this course besides representative of national disaster management organizations, representatives of SAR teams from neighboring countries took part (Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro, Slovenia, Ukraine). At this training the participants earned the competence to train further national SAR teams for international missions, according to the knowledge forwarded them by the UN OCHA experts. Later in 2004 the national UN INSARAG training of voluntary rescue organizations was organized in order to practice coordination and intervention activities in a mission abroad. The exercise was supervised by UN OCHA experts and was carried out after the scenario of an earthquake response.

End of 2005, with the professional supervision of UN OCHA, the III., evaluation phase of the training series took place. Following the scenario of an earthquake, USAR teams had to prove their theoretical and practical knowledge in a complex urban search and rescue situation. As achievement of the training, participating USAR teams received their INSARAG accreditation from UN OCHA. Following the exercise, Mr. Gerhard Putman-Cramer, Deputy Director and Chief, Emergency Services Branch of OCHA acknowledged the success of the evaluation exercise and considered it as an important step in the development of INSARAG methodology and in strengthening the USAR capacity.