The Red Cross and Red Crescent societies aim to respond to disasters as rapidly and effectively as possible, by mobilizing its resources (people, money and other assets) and using their network in a coordinated manner so that the initial effects are countered and the needs of the affected communities are met.

The primary aims of disaster response are rescue from immediate danger and stabilization of the physical and emotional condition of survivors. These go hand in hand with the recovery of the dead and the restoration of essential services such as water and power. How long this takes varies according to the scale, type and context of the disaster but typically takes between one and six months and is composed of a search and rescue phase in the immediate aftermath of a disaster followed by a medium-term phase devoted to stabilizing the survivors’ physical and emotional condition.

The International Federation has a variety of international and regional mechanisms or tools at its disposal to support disaster response. They are designed to ensure that assistance is delivered fast and efficiently to people affected by disasters through the provision of funding, experienced and trained human resources and appropriate emergency services. For more details, see this presentation and website.

• Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance
• Sphere Handbook (2011 edition)
• Code of Conduct in Disaster Relief
• IFRC Secretariat Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Response and Early Recovery in Asia Pacific 2011
• Disaster response and contingency planning guide (2007)
• Guidelines for Assessment in Emergencies (March 2008)
• Introduction to the Guidelines for the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance (IDRL Guidelines)
• ASEAN’s Standard Operating Procedure for Regional Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations (SASOP)
• ASEAN ERAT (ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team) Guidelines

• Cambodian Red Cross: Guidelines for an Emergency Response (2007)
• Cambodian Red Cross: Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Response Teams (2007)
• Cambodian Red Cross: The Principles and Policy of Disaster Preparedness & Disaster Responses
• Cambodian Red Cross: Disaster Response Teams: Standard Operating Procedures (2010)
• Viet Nam Red Cross: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Disaster Response
• Viet Nam Red Cross: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for National Disaster Response Team (NDRT)
• Singapore Red Cross: National Disaster Response Team Module
• PMI: Preparedness and Response, from local to national
• Myanmar Red Cross: Standard Operating Procedures for relief assistance for small scale disasters (2010)

• Community Action for Disaster Response (CADRE) in Emergency (VIETNAMESE)
• Cyclone Giri Relief Operation: Lessons Learnt Workshop Report 2011