#ItTakesAVillage

When disasters strike, time is of the essence in saving lives. Following a major crisis, emergency-service personnel, such as firefighters, search-and-rescue teams and ambulance operators, are often first on the scene, treating the sick and injured, providing safety, locating people and evacuating the wounded.

In conflicts they provide vital support, including relocating people from areas of active fighting. Most emergency-service personnel are volunteers operating in their home communities, but at the global level, international emergency response teams deploy to help disaster-affected countries.

United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams deploy on short notice (12-48 hours) to assess needs, coordinate response, share critical information and help coordinate international urban search-and-rescue efforts.

As of February 2022, UNDAC has conducted 300 emergency missions in more than 115 countries

The White Helmets, a group of Syrian volunteer rescue workers, have saved more than 100,000 lives over the past five years.

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Disaster Assessment and Coordination

International search and rescue advisory group (INSARAG)