The Secretary-General's Message on the International Day of Search and Rescue Dogs

The megadisasters of recent years -- earthquakes, tsunamis and flooding,

from Haiti to Japan, from Indonesia to Pakistan, from Chile to New Zealand -- have highlighted the various ways in which expert professionals can save lives, alleviate suffering and help Governments and communities recover from natural and man-made emergencies.

For decades now, trained rescue dogs have repeatedly proven their value in such crises.  When time is short, and conditions dangerous, they are able to swiftly locate those who are trapped.  In many cases they are the difference between life and death.

Today, we celebrate the world’s rescue dogs, their trainers and handlers, and the organizations that deploy them.  On behalf of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group secretariat, I would like to give particular recognition to the work of the International Rescue Dog Organisation and its partners.  They play a crucial role in maintaining this valuable resource around the world, through continuous training and review of standards and mission readiness.  As a result, when disaster strikes, we are ready and lives are saved.