Disaster Risk Management Act, 2023 (Public Law 2023-91).

This Act lays down provisions on the establishment and duties of the National Disaster Council, National Emergency Operations Committee, Recovery Coordination Committee, Disaster Resilience Committee, Clusters, Local government disaster committees, National Disaster Management Office, Disaster Coordinator and the National Emergency Operations Center. It also sets out rules as regards disaster planning at the national and local levels; declaration of state of disaster by executive orders; establishment and utilization of the Disaster Assistance Account; offences and penalties; and public cooperation to successfully prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
The objectives of this Act are: (i) to establish an institutional structure for the delivery of disaster management and climate and disaster risk reduction measures throughout the Republic, including by promoting cooperation between the government agencies, and with local governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector; (ii) to provide a planning framework for disaster management and for disaster resilience through climate and disaster risk reduction throughout the Republic; (iii) to provide arrangements for the effective management and coordination of preparedness for, responses to and recovery from disasters, including arrangements for access to external support; and (iv) to promote and integrate measures to reduce climate and disaster risk in social, livelihood and development planning and practices throughout the Republic.
The principles of this Act include: (a) supporting self-reliance and avoiding creating dependence on external interventions at both the national and the local levels; (b) coordinating disaster management and resilient development by the national government through national and sector planning and to support local government and village planning for disaster management; (c) recognizing local governments, villages, community groups, individuals and private sector entities as important stakeholders in disaster planning and response, and promoting them to perform their role; (d) including women at all levels and during all stages of disaster management planning, response and recovery in order to provide effective disaster management; (e) respecting the rights of individuals and communities whilst taking actions and decisions addressing climate and disaster risks, and responding to and recovering from disasters; and (f) supporting inclusiveness, equity and fairness whilst taking actions and decisions addressing climate and disaster risks, and responding to and recovering from disasters.