INSARAG conference kicks off in Doha
Doha, The Gulf Observer: Under the patronage of Minister of Interior and Commander of Lekhwiya Force H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the works of the UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) conference kicked off in Doha yesterday, which will be held over three days, with the participation of more than 90 countries.
The opening of the conference was attended by Head of the State Security H E Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Minister of Transport H E Jassim bin Saif bin Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) H E Khalifa bin Jassim Al Kuwari, Director of Humanitarian Financing and Resource Mobilization of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Lisa Doughten, and a number of officials, guests, and specialists in the fields of search and rescue.
The event, organised by the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), will discuss many future plans and applications related to the rapid response mechanism (RRM) for complex emergencies, access challenges, and crises, in addition to preparing for and responding to disasters in order to save more lives and reduce negative consequences in light of the repercussions resulting from the disasters in Turkey and Syria.
It also sheds light on the main features of the search and rescue response in urban areas, the basic analysis of the response and draft recommendations and lessons learned, many future plans and applications in detail in terms of ensuring standards and quality, among other issues.
Regional Chair of search and rescue teams from Africa, Europe and the Middle East for the year 2023 Col. Mubarak Sherida Al Kaabi welcomed their Excellencies the ministers, officials and participants from different countries of the world, pointing to the role that the conference will play in promoting future plans and applications that contribute to rapid response in providing search and rescue operations and humanitarian aid.
He also thanked the ministries, government and private institutions for their continued efforts in providing support for the search and rescue operations undertaken by the International Advisory Group.
The QFFD Director-General stressed the keenness of Qatar to provide humanitarian aid in disaster and conflict areas with the participation of relevant United Nations organizations.
He pointed to the lessons learned from the urgent response of the State of Qatar to the recent earthquake that occurred in Turkey, the most important of which is the need to intensify cooperation with strategic partners from international donors, United Nations institutions, and other bodies and organizations, and to develop proactive financing procedures based on scientific forecasts of disasters.
Doughten explained that the purpose of this conference is to reach agreement on the proposals and lessons learned that have been identified, with the aim of developing joint strategies and action plans for the International Advisory Group. INSARAG is the global network of more than 90 countries and organizations under the United Nations umbrella, based on the INSARAG Guidelines endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on strengthening the effectiveness and coordination of international urban search and rescue assistance in 2002.
