National Disaster Management Agency Act, 2020
An Act establishing the National Disaster Management Agency to coordinate disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response in Sierra Leone.
Summary
The National Disaster Management Agency Act, 2020 establishes the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) as the central body responsible for disaster management in Sierra Leone. Its creation followed disasters such as the 2017 Freetown mudslide and flooding and reflected the need for a dedicated, coordinated institution.
The Act provides for the Agency's establishment, governance and functions, covering the full disaster-management cycle: risk reduction and prevention, preparedness, early warning, emergency response, and recovery and rehabilitation. It provides for disaster planning and coordination across government and with partners, the declaration and management of emergencies, a disaster fund, and community resilience.
It strengthens the country's institutional capacity to anticipate, respond to and recover from disasters.
Main provisions
- Establishes the National Disaster Management Agency and provides for its governance.
- Provides for disaster risk reduction, prevention and preparedness.
- Provides for early warning, emergency response and recovery.
- Provides for disaster planning and coordination across government and partners.
- Provides for the declaration and management of emergencies and a disaster fund.
- Promotes community resilience to disasters.