International Law in Disaster Scenarios: Applicable Rules and Principles

The book identifies the main international concepts and rules that are of special relevance in disaster settings and critically analyses how they are implemented in such contexts. It shows that, although the crucial and growing importance of disaster response has resulted in a complex framework of international obligations, it is nonetheless guided by certain general principles/values.  In particular, through an in-depth analysis of sovereignty, international cooperation and solidarity, and their manifestations in disaster contexts, the book assesses the concrete scope and nature of the obligations of the state affected by the disaster, and those of the international community, respectively. Considerable attention is devoted to the applicable legal framework governing disaster response in mixed situations of disaster and armed conflict, and to the main problems and operational challenges entailed by the involvement of foreign military personnel and assets in disaster response. The book’s overall objective is to provide an authoritative overview of the development, core issues and challenges in international law with regard to disaster scenarios, and to serve as a valuable and comprehensive reference guide. Review “Flavia Zorzi Giustiniani's study is a seminal contribution to the emerging field of international disaster response law, providing the kind of doctrinal foundation that is essential for a branch of law whose emergence was strongly driven by practitioners. Very well written and accessible to the reader, it succeeds in firmly anchoring IDRL in general international law while at the same time shedding light on its specificities and its relationship with international human rights and humanitarian law.” (Prof. Walter Kälin, University of Bern, Switzerland) From the Back Cover The book identifies the main international concepts and rules that are of special relevance in disaster settings and critically analyses how they are implemented in such contexts. It shows that, although the crucial and growing importance of disaster response has resulted in a complex framework of international obligations, it is nonetheless guided by certain general principles/values. In particular, through an in-depth analysis of sovereignty, international cooperation and solidarity, and their manifestations in disaster contexts, the book assesses the concrete scope and nature of the obligations of the state affected by the disaster, and those of the international community, respectively. Considerable attention is devoted to the applicable legal framework governing disaster response in mixed situations of disaster and armed conflict, and to the main problems and operational challenges entailed by the involvement of foreign military personnel and assets in disaster response.           The book’s overall objective is to provide an authoritative overview of the development, core issues and challenges in international law with regard to disaster scenarios, and to serve as a valuable and comprehensive reference guide. About the Author Flavia Zorzi Giustiniani is Assistant Professor of International law, Adjunct Professor of International law of the digital society and Senior Lecturer of European Union law at Uninettuno University, Rome.