China is one of the most-affected countries in the world by various natural disasters. Especially, the frequent earthquakes have caused massive human casualties and property losses, and brought immeasurable sufferings to the Chinese people. The Chinese government has been comprehensively strengthening capacity building on disaster prevention and reduction, and actively participated in international cooperation in this respect.
The establishment of urban search and rescue teams is one of these important practices. On April 27, 2001, Premier Wen Jiabao awarded the flag to the first national urban search and rescue team, which is also known as China International Search and Rescue team (CISAR), marking the beginning of the building of the search and rescue forces in China. CISAR is primarily responsible for implementing the domestic search and rescue operations and international humanitarian missions for personnel buried under the collapsed construction (structure) caused by the earthquake disaster or other sudden onset emergencies.
Adopting an open and cooperative attitude, CISAR takes an active part in international efforts in the area of disaster-reduction cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, and has built up close partnership relations with UN-OCHA, and other international organizations around the world. Together with other family members of International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), CISAR has been devoted to the construction and improvement of an international cooperative disaster-reduction mechanism, especially in providing mutual collaboration with other countries in major natural disasters.
To fulfill its role and functions, CISAR is organized as a partnership structure comprising the components of the rescue force from military engineering troop, specialists and experts from China Earthquake Administration (CEA), and paramedics and physicians from General Hospital of Armed Police Forces.
CISAR follows the overall responsibility system under the leadership of the team leader and the INSARAG Guidelines in formulation of its team structure with Headquarters, 3 detachments and other units. Now, CISAR has evolved into a team consisting of nearly 230 members, including 1 team leader, 3 deputy team leaders and other 30 support staff in Headquarters, and group leaders in each detachment.
In order to effectively coordinate activities of relevant departments and ministries and strengthen management of CISAR, the Joint Committee Mechanism (JCM) was established for discussion and decision making on the major issues. The secretariat of JCM was set up in CEA, responsible for the implementation, supervision of the decisions made in the joint meeting.
CISAR has more than 6000 pieces of rescue equipment and 20 search dogs.
On November 14，2009， CISAR has successfully passed the IEC（INSARAG External Classification） of heavy rescue teams, and be awarded the certificate by UN. CISAR was the 12th heavy rescue team in the world.
CISAR is engaged in its expansion now and will be increased to 480 members with new equipment by the end of 2010.
The development of CISAR will contribute greatly to the international humanitarian affairs and the overall national capacity of search and rescue.
CISAR’s Experience in Overseas & Domestic Emergencies
Since its formation in 2001, CISAR has sent 586 personnel/13 times to participate in the following domestic and overseas missions:
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February 24, 2003 |
Earthquake, Bachu-Jiashi，Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. |
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May 22, 2003 |
Earthquake, The northern part of Algeria, Rescued 1 survivor. |
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December 1, 2003 |
Earthquake, Zhaosu, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. |
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December 26, 2003 |
Earthquake, Bam, Iran. |
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December 26, 2004 |
Earthquake and Tsunami, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. |
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April 2, 2005 |
Avalanche , Menyuan County, Qinghai Province, China. |
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October 8, 2005 |
Earthquake, Balakot, Pakistan, Rescued 3 survivors. |
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May 27, 2006 |
Yogyakarta, Indonesia. |
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January 13, 2008 |
Landslide, Ji County, Tianjin, China |
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May 12, 2008 |
Earthquake, Wenchuan, Sichuan Province, China, Rescued 49 survivors. |
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January 13, 2010 |
Earthquake, Port-au-prince, Haiti. |
In various domestic and overseas relief operations, CISAR has rescued 53 survivors, provided medical services for more than 17,000 injured.