Disasters are among the largest threats to human integrity, security and development the world is facing today. Is international law stepping up? Are national/international institutions, humanitarian actors, and scholars ready to face legal and institutional challenges raised by disasters caused by natural hazards or human activities?
This online specialised course will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of existing international provisions and key regulatory issues related to disaster risk reduction and management.
Structure & Methodology
The course, organised by the Special Projects Department of the Sanremo Institute in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster Law and the Italian Red Cross, will provide a dynamic and tailored virtual learning environment to all participants.
Attendees will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the subject thanks to a programme integrating both live and self-paced sessions, facilitated by a highly experienced teaching staff from both academia and relevant organisations.
The delivery of thematic assignments will be required to successfully complete the course.
Exercises and case studies will mainly focus on real-life application of the international legal standards and strategies illustrated by the facilitators throughout the didactic modules, also offering an opportunity to explore the best practices implemented on the ground by the most relevant humanitarian actors.
Content
The course will address a wide range of topics including the Treaty on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters, the interplay between Disaster Law, Human Rights and IHL; Refugees, Migration, and Displacement in the event of disasters; the overall framework of Disaster Mitigation, Prevention, and Preparedness also in connection with Climate Change Adaptation; an introduction to regulatory issues in Disaster Response and Management; the regional dimension of Disaster Law in Europe, Asia and Africa; and the role of international organizations in disaster risk management.
Learning objectives
Throughout the course participants will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the international legal framework applicable to disaster risk governance, recognizing its significance in preventing, preparing, responding and recovering from disasters;
- Enhance their awareness of the interaction between International Disaster Law and other normative sectors such as Human Rights Law, Refugee Law, International Humanitarian Law; Environmental Law;
- Obtain a comprehensive overview of the rules, general principles, and policies in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management;
- Better understand the role of the different actors involved in disaster risk governance, as well as their interplay in disaster response, in particular the role of the Red Cross Red Crescent actors, UN Agencies, NGOs, and other relevant organisations;
- Delve into the regional dimension of the subject, to learn how disasters are addressed at the European, Asian and African levels, expanding participants’ knowledge of the main regional legal frameworks for disaster risk governance;
- Train in an international, neutral environment that promotes cooperation and the exchange of experiences among professionals from various institutions, backgrounds, sectors (public and private), and countries.
Faculty
Speakers will include the co-directors of the Course Giulio Bartolini (Professor of International Law at Roma Tre University, Editor-in-Chief of the Yearbook of International Disaster Law, and member of the Sanremo Institute) and Isabelle Granger (Global Lead, Disaster Law and Auxiliary Role, IFRC), as well as several high-level distinguished experts.
The course is coordinated by Mr. Edoardo Gimigliano, Coordinator of the IIHL Special Projects Department, and Dr. Tommaso Natoli, Head of Humanitarian Diplomacy and IHL at the Italian Red Cross and IFRC Disaster Law Focal Point for Europe.
Target audience
The specific target audience for this training includes governmental and military personnel, international and regional organisations staff, personnel from different NGOs, Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, academics, civil protection officers, international lawyers, legal advisors, graduate and post-graduate students with interest in humanitarian assistance and disaster risk management issues.
Fee information
Registration Fee:
Participation quota amounts to € 750. It must be remitted before the start of the Course by bank transfer. Visa and/or Mastercard are also accepted on the website of the Institute (click here).
– Early birds offer: Applicants who submit their application for the course by 31 July 2026 are entitled to a 20% discount on the fee.
The Registration Fee includes:
– Private access to the IIHL E-Learning platform
– Course materials (PPT presentations, selected reading materials, media, self-assessment tools, exercises, and feedback)
– Continued tutoring throughout the course period
– Course certificate
The Registration Fee must be paid within 30 days from the notification of selection by bank transfer or via Visa/Mastercard on the Institute’s website (click here).
Discounts:
Since the following special discount is made available for specific categories of professionals, applicants are invited to clearly specify their affiliation when applying for the course.
– Italian Red Cross, IFRC and Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies:
Staff and volunteers of the Italian Red Cross, staff of the IFRC, and staff and volunteers of other Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies are entitled to a special 25% discount on the registration fee. For further information, please contact the administrative focal point for the course.
These special discount cannot be combined with other offers.
How to register
All the applicants are kindly invited to complete their registration via the following link: https://iihl.org/11th-international-disaster-law-course-2/
Queries on the course registration and administrative aspects should be addressed to eleonora.tranquillo@iihl.org
