National Disaster Management Act (Revised edition, CAP. 20.38)
The National Disaster Management Act defines a disaster and specifies that the Minister responsible to the Cabinet for disaster-related matters shall ensure that adequate measures are taken by the government for disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. It establishes a National Disaster Committee whose function is to advise the Minister on these issues and coordinate government and non-government agencies in response to disasters. The Act also establishes a National Disaster Management Office which will act as the body responsible for carrying out disaster management in Tuvalu and a National Disaster Preparedness Working Group within the office. It also establishes Island Disaster Committees on each island excluding the Funafati Falekaupule and outlines the procedures to declare a state of emergency
The Act specifies that a National Disaster Plan is to be drawn up to:
– Define the action to be taken to deal with disasters in Tuvalu, covering all national land and sea areas;
– Cover requirements for disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery; and
– Set out the roles and action to be taken by government and non-government agencies.
