Doha Hosts International Advisory Group Conference on Search and Rescue Teams (ANSRAJ)
Doha is hosting the United Nations International Advisory Group Conference on Search and Rescue Teams (ANSRAJ), taking place from October 17 to 19 under the theme "Reflecting on the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Disaster Relationship." The conference has garnered participation from over 90 countries.
This conference, organized by the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), is part of the advisory group's agenda aimed at gaining insights from various global events and disasters, along with the human and material losses they have incurred. This necessitates the need to provide a comprehensive overview of the consequences of disasters, including earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
In this context, the conference also delves into the primary aspects of urban search and rescue operations, presenting fundamental analyses of intervention, project recommendations, and lessons learned. It also provides a detailed discussion of numerous future plans and applications related to ensuring standards and quality, rapid response mechanisms for complex emergency situations, access issues, and more.
Qatar is hosting the conference in recognition of the pivotal role played by Qatar's International Search and Rescue Group, as well as its swift response efforts to numerous disasters worldwide.
Last year, the United Nations International Advisory Group on Search and Rescue chose Qatar as the regional leader for search and rescue teams in Africa and the Middle East for the year 2023.
It is worth noting that the International Advisory Group on Search and Rescue (ANSRAJ) operates in line with the United Nations General Assembly resolution issued on December 16, 2002, which calls for supporting the efficiency and coordination of international assistance in the field of urban search and rescue. The group is entrusted with numerous responsibilities, with the most crucial being disaster preparedness and response, thus saving more lives and mitigating adverse consequences.
The group's work during the Turkey-Syria earthquake witnessed the practical application of these responsibilities in accordance with internationally agreed regulations and rules, promoting sustainable collaboration among national urban search and rescue teams working on the international stage. This is particularly crucial in light of global climate changes that lead to disasters such as floods and earthquakes, which necessitate thorough preparedness and flexibility.