File photo: Geoff SloanThe 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, and subsequent large shakes, have drawn attention to short-comings in the way New Zealand's legal system deals with disasters. But that’s not the disaster – the disaster is a social event. Disaster lawDisaster law is a relatively new field which Toni says began to develop over a decade ago. Internationally, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Law Programme, which “seeks to reduce human vulnerability by promoting legal preparedness for disasters through advocacy, technical assistance, training and research”, drew up International Disaster Law Guidelines which have been adopted by all signatories to the Geneva Convention. Toni says in the past the law has been reactionary in situations like this, whereas disaster lawyers advocate being better prepared with well thought-out legal frameworks.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 17, 2021 19:30 UTC