Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, 2017

11. Functions, Duties and Powers of the Authority: (1) The functions, duties and powers of the Authority shall be as follows:-

(a) To implement or cause to implement plans, programs and decisions approved by the Council and the Executive Committee,

(b) To function as the central resource body for disaster risk reduction and management,

(c) To conduct or cause to conduct study and research on river control, flood, landslide, earthquake, global warming, climate change, land use and potential causes and mitigation measures of various calamities and disasters,

(d) To provide necessary financial and technical assistance as required to the province and local level for formulating periodic plans relating to disaster management,

(e) To involve or cause to involve non-governmental organizations, private sector and local communities in disaster management related activities and to coordinate and facilitate their work,

(f) To form search and rescue teams and develop capacity at the federal, province and local levels to provide effective search, rescue and relief,

(g) To rescue or cause to rescue persons in areas that may be affected by disaster events as soon as they occur, and to coordinate with concerned bodies to ensure reliable protection of life and property of disaster-affected residents,

(ha) To mobilize or cause to mobilize security bodies, search and rescue teams, flying squads, local communities, Nepal Red Cross Society, Nepal Scouts, volunteers, technical personnel and other concerned stakeholders for search and rescue of disaster-affected persons,

(jha) To manage or cause to manage national and international search and rescue groups arriving for humanitarian assistance and cash and relief materials received after disaster events,

(nya) To maintain an integrated record of international, bilateral and multilateral assistance received in the field of disaster management,

(ta) To develop and operate a national disaster management information system and collect, analyze, store and transmit information and data relating to disaster management,

(tha) To provide advice and suggestions to various bodies of the Government of Nepal and other institutions on matters relating to disaster risk reduction and management,

(da) To prescribe the subjects and standards for basic orientation training on disaster management to be provided by public entities and commercial establishments to their employees and workers,

(dha) To cause the administrative and security mechanisms at the federal, province and local levels to be kept alert for immediate mobilization in relation to disaster management,

(na) To enhance or cause to enhance public awareness in relation to disaster risk reduction,

(ta) To conduct or cause to conduct study and research on modern and traditional technologies including geology, seismology, hydrology and meteorology, geographic information system, remote sensing system, early warning system, and use or cause to use appropriate technology for disaster risk reduction,

(tha) To operate and manage a national emergency operation center to provide prior information to all concerned about potential disaster events, to immediately collect, analyze and transmit information, and to coordinate and mobilize search, rescue and relief related activities,

(da) To form flying squads for immediate mobilization at the time of disaster,

(dha) To form a volunteer bureau for immediate mobilization for search, rescue and relief operations during disasters,

(na) To mobilize or cause to mobilize local communities and volunteers for the construction of temporary rehabilitation and learning centers for citizens of disaster-affected areas,

(pa) To mobilize or cause to mobilize private and non-governmental organizations, local communities and other stakeholders in a coordinated manner for disaster response,

(pha) To operate emergency warehouses for disasters and manage received relief materials,

(ba) To provide or cause to provide psychosocial counseling services for persons affected by disaster,

(bha) To monitor whether the Ministries, Departments and other bodies of the Government of Nepal have performed the roles and responsibilities determined by the Executive Committee in relation to disaster management and submit a report to the Executive Committee,

(ma) To perform or cause to perform other functions as prescribed in relation to disaster management.

(2) The Authority shall perform disaster management related activities in coordination with the Council, the Executive Committee and the relevant Ministries and other bodies of the Government of Nepal.