Introduction

The need for improved standardization and harmonization of emergency relief and medical items provided by donors and major operational players has been expressed over the years. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross supported by National Societies have coordinated their joint efforts towards this objective.

The catalogue is intended to facilitate the selection and acquisition of the suitable items notably during the first phase of an emergency. Standardisation is intended to facilitate field operations and logistics support, improve quality insurance, communication and reporting, and also to avoid inappropriate donations. The catalogue provides generic technical specifications for essential items.

The catalogue provides guidance and assistance to :

- Operational users and decision makers and also donors and national authorities concerned with planning, budgeting and execution of assistance programmes in emergency situations.

- Purchasers and suppliers involved with the supply of emergency items.

This being the first edition of the catalogue, standardisation and harmonisation has not been totally finalised. The second edition is planned for 2003, with among other objectives a larger standardisation of the Emergency Response Units (ERU) and kits.

- Send your comments and feedback to: chomilie@ifrc.org or fmounis@icrc.org