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Disaster Management Act, 1997 (Act No. 2 of 1997).

Country/Territory
Lesotho
Document type
Legislation
Date
1997
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Long title
An Act to establish the Disaster Management Authority; to regulate its powers and functions and to make provision with respect to emergencies arising out of disasters including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery measures for the protection of life and property from the effects of disasters; and to vest responsibility for disaster management jointly and separately with the Disaster Management Authority and the District Secretaries; and for related matters.
Subject
Environment gen., Water
Keyword
Hazards Flood Environmental planning Institution Basic legislation Policy/planning Water shortage/drought
Geographical area
Africa, Landlocked Developing Nations, Least Developed Countries, Southern Africa
Entry into force notes
The Act shall come into operation on the date of its publication in the Gazette.
Abstract

"Disaster" means a progressive or sudden, widespread or localised, natural or man-made event including not only prevalent drought but also heavy snowfalls, severe frosts, hailstorms, tornadoes, landslides, mudslides, floods, serious widespread fires and major air or road traffic accidents. Sections of Part II provide for the declaration of the state of disaster by the Minister and emergency powers. The Disaster Management Authority, established under Part V, shall prepare a National Disaster Management Plan which the Minister shall submit to the Cabinet for approval. The plan shall cover requirements for disaster management including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery measures (sect. 5). The Chief Executive of the Authority shall prepare a National Disaster Management Plan and implement such plan upon approval of the Cabinet (sect. 5). Upon the declaration of a state of disaster and for its duration, the Prime Minister shall establish a National Disaster Relief Task Force which shall consist of Ministers directly involved with that disaster (sect. 8). Functions of the Task Force are outlined in section 9, functions of the Authority are outlined in section 13.

Full text
English