International Coordination & United Nations Engagement

For over two decades, members of ERTSAR have operated within United Nations–coordinated disaster response environments, contributing to missions in Pakistan, the Philippines, Haiti, and other complex emergencies. Our deployments have taken place under established international coordination structures, working alongside UN OCHA, INSARAG partners, national authorities, and host-nation responders in high-pressure, multi-agency settings.

International USAR Training, Coordination & Deployment Readiness 

ERTSAR has worked within this international response framework for approximately 25 years. This page provides information and training resources for ERTSAR members preparing for international USAR, humanitarian coordination and deployment.

UN OCHA is the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, responsible for coordinating international humanitarian response.

INSARAG is the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, the UN-coordinated global network that develops standards and methodology for international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).

We recognize that effective international response is not defined solely by capability, but by disciplined integration. 

Our personnel have participated in UNDAC, INSARAG, and OCHA-aligned training environments and exercises, strengthening our understanding of international coordination doctrine, information management, reporting standards, and civil–military interaction. This ensures our teams operate in alignment with recognized global frameworks rather than in parallel to them.

Respect for sovereignty, cultural context, and local leadership remains central to our approach. In every deployment, we work within the authority of the affected nation and established UN coordination mechanisms, contributing constructively to unified assessment, tasking, and operational objectives. Our commitment to ongoing professional development and recognized standards reflects both our history within the system and our continued engagement to strengthen formal alignment and interoperability at the international level.

Our teams have deployed internationally on UN INSARAG and CMCoord / CIMIC Coordinated missions

After more than twenty years of engagement within UN-coordinated environments, we remain committed to advancing capability, maintaining doctrinal relevance, and supporting the global humanitarian community with professionalism, discipline, and respect.

We have also been featured in UN documents as well as sat on their working groups.

Introduction to Activation & Timely ERTSAR Response

The following is a part of the ERTSAR Member pipeline for Full D Squad (International and Remote Disaster Ops).

ERTSAR does not self deploy and is thoughtful about ensuring our self-sufficient and trained teams are requested / can be useful in any disaster response. Watch this 90 sec video then do the BSAFE Course and watch these videos.