ICDO - International Civil Defence Organisation

The International Civil Defence Organisation is an intergovernmental entity with a mandate to contribute to a state’s development by providing protection and assistance of its population and safeguarding property and the environment.

We support member state national civil defence institutions and systems as well as emergency services in their efforts to prepare and respond to natural and man-made disasters. The ICDO contributes to the improvement of civil defence agencies and structures by providing technical assistance, consulting, training and access to an international network of experts specialised in the prevention and management of disasters. Looking back over the past 85 years of our history, we have a reason to be proud. Yet a lot remains to be done to overcome new risks, challenges and threats to sustainable development across the world.

On a structural level Structurally, this Organisation evolved from an Association, "Lieux de Genève" in 1931, to a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in 1958 and to its current form, an International Organisation (IO) in 1972 with the entry into force of its Constitution.

On an operational level in operational terms, this Organisation has broadened its scope from the protection of civilians and historical monuments in wartime to the protection of people, property and the environment against natural and man-made disasters. In the same vein, in the face of climate change characterized by seasonal malfunctions with surprise effects on community planning, the ICDO has developed forecasting mechanisms based on information technologies to reduce the vulnerability of people exposed to disasters that have become recurrent, increasingly violent and devastating, as well as to risks, some of which are emerging only now.

On a functional level ICDO comprises three bodies, the General Assembly, the Executive Council and the Permanent Secretariat. The ICDO has a long record of achievements in building the managerial and physical capacity of member and non-member countries to deal with disaster risks. Furthermore, as part of its response preparedness, particularly in terms of proactive decision-making by communities at risk, the ICDO has developed a permanent monitoring tool, the International Monitoring and Coordination Centre (IMCC), with branches in certain countries. The Centre provides States with information on the situation regarding risks of disaster and offers related training.