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

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

The commitments are incorporated into:
Strategy
Legislation (e.g. Law, Regulation, Statutes, Rules of Procedure etc.)

At the National level

Explanation:

A. The Romanian legislative framework on disaster risk management respects the Checklist on Law for Disaster Preparedness and Response.
This legislative framework is well structured, inclusive, protecting all vulnerable groups (persons with disabilities, elderly people and minorities), aligned with the European and international legislation.
It is comprehensive as regards all stages of a disaster (prevention, preparedness, response and recovery).

The Romanian legislation sets out clear responsibilities for all types of risks (Government Decision no. 557/2016 on the management of all types of risk).

Romania attaches particular importance to the identification of potential legislative problems, with a view to improving and consolidating the National Emergency Management System, in order to meet the current ever changing challenges. The legislative framework on emergency and disaster management was updated (Emergency Ordinance no. 68/2020). The main purpose was to simplify the decision-taking mechanism and to streamline the integrated coordination structure of emergency situations and disasters.

B. The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations has finalized the draft of a Government Decision for approving the National Strategy of Disaster Risk Reductions 2024-2035. The vision of the Strategy is to ensure Romania’s resilience to disasters through proactive, multi-sectorial, multi-hazard actions and a whole-of-society approach.

C. The Department for Emergency Situations fully respects the European and international legislation on equal opportunities, social inclusion and supports the demarches with a view to improving the mechanisms for helping disadvantaged persons.
In 2022, the Department for Emergency Situations has organized, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the seminar “Disability – Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Training”, which encouraged the governments of the participating states to get involved, together with the relevant parties, including the persons with disabilities, in drafting and implementing policies, plans and standards in the field of disaster risk reduction.

D. Romania has organized awareness and education campaigns on protection measures in case of disasters, focusing on social inclusion and accessibility of information for all groups. A special platform (www.fiipregatit.ro) was launched. The platform is a reference tool for educating and informing the population in such situations and is constantly improved by adding relevant information.

E. The Romanian authorities have also implemented the RO-ALERT system. This system is implemented on Romanian territory by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, through its General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), while the technical support is provided by the Special Telecommunications Service. The RO-ALERT system allows sending Cell Broadcast messages to warn and alert citizens in case of emergency (in which citizens’ lives and health are endangered, such as extreme weather conditions, threatening floods, terrorist attacks and other situations that severely threaten communities), according to the legal provisions.

F. The Government of Romania has also approved the National Strategy on Education for the Environment and Climate Change 2023 – 2030. It is the first time when Romania adopts a national strategy dedicated to education for the environment and climate change. The programmatic document establishes clear actions to increase the degree of education and awareness, among children and young people, regarding sustainable development and environmental responsibility. Additionally, Romania is revising its National Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change for 2024 – 2030 (2023 – 2030 SNASC) and developing the National Action Plan for the implementation of the SNASC during the period 2024-2030 (PNASC 2024 – 2030). The SNASC will serve as a comprehensive document outlining public policies and basic strategic guidelines for Romania’s adaptation to the effects of climate change, as well as examples of proactive adaptation measures.

G. The National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities concluded a Protocol with the Ministry of Internal Affairs – the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU). Its purpose is to establish the conditions and the general framework for collaboration between the parties in the field of emergency preparedness. In order to achieve the object of the protocol, the two institutions collaborate, according to the legal powers, to carry out activities in the field of preparation for actions in the event of a major emergency or disaster, in order to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.

H. Within the project “Inclusive Resilience to Disasters”, financed by the Japan-World Bank Program for Mainstreaming DRM in Developing Countries (a program established in partnership between the Government of Japan and the World Bank to support countries in increasing resilience to climate change and natural disasters), the Guidelines “How can you survive to an earthquake” were released. The document was also printed in an adapted format, Braille language, for the blind persons.

I. The Romanian authorities, together with the Romanian Association of the Blind and the Romanian National Association of the Deaf, are currently organizing a series of trainings for personnel from emergency services (e.g. fire workers, social workers) on social interaction/communication with persons with disabilities.

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

Partner with:
National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in your country
Humanitarian and development partners (e.g. UN, NGOs etc.)

Examples of cooperation:

The Department for Emergency Situations has developed partnerships with the civil society, including with the Romanian Red Cross, since 2016, in order to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach in the field.

See the answer to point 1 above.

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

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

Type of Impact:
Cooperation between Government/public authorities and National Society has been strengthened
Programming and operations have become more effective and efficient

Details about the impact:

The Department for Emergency Situations has consolidated its institutional and operational capacities, including the instruction of its personnel in order to meet the needs of the population as well as the specific needs of vulnerable groups. A special emphasis has been placed on respect for human rights and on ensuring equal access to assistance in emergency situations.

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

Description of the impact:

See the answer to point 1 above.