Disaster Risk Management Act No. 39 of 2022.

This Act lays down provisions to: (I) develop, promote and implement a holistic, comprehensive, integrated, and proactive approach to disaster risk management that (a) lessens the socio-economic and environmental impacts of disasters including climate change and (b) focuses on reducing risk, including the risk of loss of life, health, physical integrity, economic disruption and damage to the environment and property, especially to those members of population who are most vulnerable by reason of age, disability, poverty, lack of resources, physical displacement or gender; and (II) promote the involvement and participation of all relevant sectors and stakeholders, at all levels of the society. Parts II and III of this Act provides for the principles, planning, financing, and administration of the National Disaster Risk Management Policy and the establishment of a National Disaster Emergency Operations Centre, National Disaster Risk Information System, National Network of Hazard Monitoring Forecasting Systems, National Early Warning System, Disaster Emergency Fund, Disaster Prevention Fund, and the National Humanitarian Assistance Standards. The National Humanitarian Assistance Standards shall provide the minimum standard in relation to the supply of water supply; the promotion of sanitation and hygiene; food security and nutrition; shelter and settlement; and health. Part IV sets out provisions on the composition and functions of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Disaster Risk Management. Part V establishes the Disaster Risk Management Authority, constitutes the Board of Directors of the Authority, and lists the functions of the Authority.
This Act sets out the functions and responsibilities of the Administrators with respect to local government districts under his/her responsibility, public institutions, and the Minister of Finance before, during and after the occurrence of a disaster through the phases of alert, disaster response, rehabilitation and recovery. Part IX provides for the declaration of disaster emergency and disaster alert of the occurrence of, or of the likely occurrence of, a disaster triggered by a natural hazard. Part X lays down provisions on disaster response, rehabilitation and recovery, such as coordinating disaster response activities after the declaration of a disaster emergency; conducting a damage and loss assessment to determine the most urgent rehabilitation needs of the population and the country; and providing humanitarian assistance to the population affected by disasters. Part XI establishes the the Disaster Emergency Fund and the Disaster Prevention Fund to be used to fund disaster response; rehabilitation; recovery; the cost of adopting financial protection instruments; risk analysis; disaster risk reduction activities; and disaster preparedness activities. Part XII provides for public participation in disaster risk management, including individuals, community-based organisations, non-profit organisations, corporations and other private organisations who specialise in the management of disaster risk. Part XIII prescribes the procedure regulating the acceptance and termination of the assistance from a country or territory outside The Bahamas or an international organization, during a disaster alert or after the occurrence of a disaster.