National Disaster Management Authorities (NDMAs) (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1359)
What are the models of National Disaster Management Authorities (NDMAs) in the South Asia region?
Abstract
Query
What are the models of National Disaster Management Authorities (NDMAs) in the South Asia region? How are they institutionally configured and what are their roles and responsibilities? What are the learnings on the institutional establishment of a NDMA?
Overview
Some countries in South Asia have invested in disaster management and disaster risk reduction, including through establishing a dedicated entity – often known as a national disaster management authority (NDMA) – to manage and respond to disasters. Worldwide, an increasing number of environmentally vulnerable countries have established NDMAs according to the Index for Risk Management.
Commonly, a NDMA is a central government body with overall responsibility for coordinating disaster management preparedness, relief and recovery. Functions vary but tend to include administrative and procedural management, development of policy and legislation, and institutional support and resourcing.
This review has found, as did a Brookings literature review by, that there are few published comparative analyses of NDMAs, either on South Asia or worldwide. This review focuses on three cases from South Asia: Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, while it also includes brief information on Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
Citation
Carter, B.; Pozarny, P. National Disaster Management Authorities (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1359). Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (2016) 14 pp.
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