Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 7: Disaster laws and policies that leave no one behind (33IC/19/R7) – Swedish Red Cross

Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?

Yes

The commitments are incorporated into:
Operational plan

At the National level

Explanation:

• The spirit of the resolution is incorporated in the National Society Strategy and into the operational plan for domestic disaster management.
• The national Advocacy Strategy includes elements regarding strengthened dialogue with the government and public authorities, including regarding the need to enhance disaster laws and policies.

Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?

Yes

Partner with:
Government and/or public authorities
ICRC/IFRC

Examples of cooperation:

In particular in the context of the build-up of the Swedish Total Defence, the Swedish Red Cross has been in continuous dialogue with government partners and public authorities to ensure knowledge and understanding of humanitarian challenges within the field of disaster response.

During the period since the adoption of the resolution, the Swedish Red Cross has published two broad policy reports on the need for strengthened policies and laws within the field of disaster management and armed conflict: “Människan i krisen” (https://www.rodakorset.se/siteassets/dokument/om-oss/fakta-och-standpunkter/rapporter/manniskan-i-krisen/manniskan-i-krisen_rapport.pdf) and “Värn i allvarstider” (https://www.rodakorset.se/siteassets/dokument/om-oss/fakta-och-standpunkter/rapporter/srk_varn_i_allvarstider_2024.pdf). Both of these call for a review and a strengthening of Swedish domestic legislative frameworks as pertaining to all types of disasters and crises, including specific recommendations on how policies can be improved, as well as including recommendations for Sweden to implement measures specified in the IDRL guidelines.

Further, the Swedish Red Cross has carried out a workshop on how disaster laws can be strengthened in Sweden, along the lines of the IDRL guidelines. The workshop was carried out with participation from representatives from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), as well as with representation from one of the IFRC’s disaster law focal points.

Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?

Yes

With challenges on:
Human resources
Funding constraints
Competing priorities

Details about challenges:

Lack of personnel and funding to adequately plan for and implement activities in support of the resolution.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?

Yes

Type of Impact:
Cooperation between Government/public authorities and National Society has been strengthened

Details about the impact:

Increased dialogue on the matter of strengthened disaster laws, partly as a result of the workshop carried out with participation from the responsible government authority MSB, as mentioned above.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?

No