LAWS OF TUVALU 
2008 Revised Edition 

CAP. 20.38 

NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT 

Arrangement of Sections

Section 

PART 1- PRELIMINARY 

1 Short title 
2 Definitions 
3 Meaning of Disaster 
4 Limitations 
5 Act limits 

PART 2 – ORGANISATION 

6 Minister 
7 National Disaster Committee 
8 Function of the Committee 
9 Committee Members 
10 Adoption of Rules of Procedures 
11 National Disaster Management Office 
12 Main Functions 
13 Appointment 
14 National Disaster Preparedness Working Group 
15 Main Functions 
16 Island Disaster Committee 
17 Island Disaster Committees Responsibilities 
18 The Island Disaster Committee Members 

PART 3 – PLANS AND PROCEDURES 

19 National Disaster Plan 
20 Plan Details 
21 Plan comes into Force 
22 Government and Non-government Agencies 
23 Chairman of the National Disaster Committee 
24 The Cabinet 
25 Falekaupule and Kaupule 

PART 4 – STATE OF EMERGENCY 

26 Declaration of state of emergency 
27 Minister must cause notice of declaration 
28 Other specific powers during a state of emergency 

PART 5 – MISCELLANEOUS 

30 Offence of obstructing a disaster worker 
31 Immunity from liability 
32 Claims for compensation and remuneration 
33 Outstanding claims 
34 Offence of making a false compensation claim 
35 Making a false statement 
36 Utilisation of disaster assistance donations 
37 Victims of disaster 
38 Misuse of donations 
39 Relationship of this Act to other Acts 
40 Regulations 

NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PRE AND POST EFFECTS OF NATURAL DISASTER IN TUVALU AND OTHER DISASTER RELATED MATTERS.

Commencement [1 January 2007]
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PART 1- PRELIMINARY

1 	Short title 

This Act may be cited as the National Disaster Management Act. 

2 	Definitions 

In this Act the following definitions apply — 

"agency" means a government agency or a non-government agency; 

"Committee" means the National Disaster Committee established by section 7; 

"Disaster" has the meaning given under section 3; 

"Government agency" means — 

(a) 	any body constituted by or under any Act for a public purpose; 

(b) 	any member or officer of such a body; or 

(c) 	any person in the service of the Government of Tuvalu upon whom any function, power, duty or responsibility is conferred by or under any Act; 

"Group" means the National Disaster Preparedness Working Group established by section 14; 

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for Disaster Management; 

"National Disaster Plan" means the plan formulated, and revised from time to time as necessary, which defines pre and post disaster action to be taken to deal with both the risks and consequences of disasters in Tuvalu; 

"Office" means the National Disaster Management Office established by section 11. 

3 	Meaning of Disaster 

A disaster is the actual or imminent occurrence of an event which endangers or threatens the safety or health of any communities or persons in Tuvalu, or which destroys or damages, any property in Tuvalu, arising from: 

(a) 	a cyclone; 

(b) 	a flood; 

(c) 	tsunami; 

(d) 	a drought; 

(e) 	an air disaster; 

(f) 	a maritime disaster; 

(g) 	a major civil accident (such as major fire or explosion); 

(h) 	a plague or epidemic; or 

(i) 	any other similar natural or man-made event, except those in section 4 and 5. 

4 	Limitations 

This Act does not authorise the taking of measures to control civil disorder or to bring to an end an industrial dispute. 

5 	Act limits 

This Act does not cover circumstances arising from combating against an enemy, unless specifically authorised by Cabinet Ministers. 

PART 2 – ORGANISATION

6 	Minister 

The Minister responsible to the Cabinet on all disaster-related matters applicable shall: 

(a) 	ensure that adequate measures are taken by government agencies to mitigate, prepare for and respond to disasters; and 

(b) 	assist in the recovery from the effects of a disaster by persons or communities to co-ordinate the activities of government agencies carrying out their statutory functions, powers, duties and responsibilities in taking such measures; and 

(c) 	foster and facilitate the participation of non-government agencies in measures taken by the government for disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. 

7 	National Disaster Committee 

A National Disaster Committee is established. 

8 	Function of the Committee 

The function of the Committee is: 

(a) 	to advise the Minister responsible on all matters relating to disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery; 

(b) 	co-ordination of activities of government and non-government agencies; 

(c) 	to ensure that such strategies and policies are implemented by the National Disaster Management Office, other government agencies and non-government agencies; and 

(d) 	to advise the Minister on the need for aid to counter the effects of a disaster and on any agreement proposed for the government to enter into to obtain such aid. 

9 	Committee Members 

The Committee is to consist of: 

(a) 	Chairman nominated by the Minister; 

(b) 	the Secretary to Government; 

(c) 	all Secretaries of government ministries; 

(d) 	Commissioner of Police; 

(e) 	Director of Public Works; 

(f) 	Director of Disaster Management Office; 

(g) 	a case by case representative by a NGO; and 

(h) 	a representative of the Funafuti Falekaupule. 

10 	Adoption of Rules of Procedures 

The Committee may adopt its own rules of procedures. 

11 	National Disaster Management Office 

A National Disaster Management Office is established. 

12 	Main Functions 

The Office's main functions include: 

(i) 	carrying out disaster management; 

(ii) 	carrying out tasks and responsibilities handed down by the Minister and the Committee; 

(iii) 	advising the Committee in all matters related to the disaster; and 

(iv) 	dealing with all the disaster related affairs at the national and international level. 

13 	Appointment 

The Office consists of a Director and subordinate staff appointed by the Public Service Commission. 

14 	National Disaster Preparedness Working Group 

A National Disaster Preparedness Working Group is established within the National Disaster Management Office. 

15 	Main Functions 

The Group's main functions include: 

(a) 	assisting the Committee during emergency operations carried out in response to a disaster event; 

(b) 	carrying out the design, development and implementation of effective disaster mitigation and preparedness programmes and activities; and 

(c) 	advocate and promote public awareness on disaster management. 

16 	Island Disaster Committee 

Except for the Funafuti Falekaupule, an Island Disaster Committee is established on each island. 

17 	Island Disaster Committees Responsibilities 

The Island Disaster Committees are responsible for: 

(i) 	co-ordinating island disaster-related measures; 

(ii) 	performing similar tasks with that of the Committee at the island level; 

(iii) 	acting as the main bridge between the Committee and the local community in all disaster related matters; and 

(iv) 	taking the responsibility of the Committee when communication with Funafuti is disrupted. 

18 	The Island Disaster Committee Members 

The Island Disaster Committee consists of: 

(a) 	Pule Kaupule (Chairperson); 

(b) 	Member of House of Parliament (Vice Chairperson); 

(c) 	Kaupule Secretary (Secretary); 

(d) 	The island Dresser or Nurse; 

(e) 	The Manager of the local Fusi; 

(f) 	A Red Cross Representative; 

(g) 	A Police Officer; 

(h) 	Radio Operator; 

(i) 	Headmaster of any local school; 

(j) 	The island Agricultural Officer (if present); 

(k) 	TEC Supervisor; and 

(l) 	The Principal of Motufoua (For Vaitupu Only). 

PART 3 – PLANS AND PROCEDURES

19 	National Disaster Plan 

The Office shall draw up a National Disaster Plan ("the plan") in consultation with the government and non-government agencies, which should be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. 

20 	Plan Details 

The plan is to: 

(1) 	define the action to be taken to deal with disasters in Tuvalu, covering all national land and sea areas; 

(2) 	cover requirements for disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery; and 

(3) 	set out the roles and action to be taken by government and nongovernment agencies. 

21 	Plan comes into Force 

The plan shall come into force once the Cabinet adopts it. 

22 	Government and Non-government Agencies 

Government and non-government agencies are required: 

(1) 	to adopt their own plan and other arrangements necessary to fulfil their roles under the plan; and 

(2) 	to make annual report of notification on their status to the National Disaster Management Office. 

23 	Chairman of the National Disaster Committee 

The Chairman of the National Disaster Committee is to be responsible for ensuring that the plan is periodically reviewed and updated as necessary. 

24 	The Cabinet 

The Cabinet must approve such amendment before it comes into force. 

25 	Falekaupule and Kaupule 

Falekaupule and Kaupule to coordinate actions necessary to support the provision and requirement of the National Disaster Plan. 

PART 4 – STATE OF EMERGENCY

26 	Declaration of state of emergency 

The Head of State, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, may by proclamation declare that a state of public emergency exists in Tuvalu, or in a part of Tuvalu if circumstances of a disaster: 

(1) 	appear likely to become beyond the scope, provisions and resources of the National Disaster Plan; 

(2) 	exceed the capabilities of the affected community to deal with the disaster. 

27 	Minister must cause notice of declaration 

As soon as practical after the Head of State proclaims a state of public emergency, the Minister must cause notice of declaration to broadcast throughout Tuvalu through Radio Tuvalu and all other media outlets. 

28 	Other specific powers during a state of emergency 

During the declaration of state of emergency, the Minister, on the advice of the Chairman of the National Disaster Committee, will recommend to Cabinet actions which may be necessary, including the making of regulations on the following: 

(1) 	the supply and distribution of food, water, fuel, power, medical assistance, shelter and other necessities; 

(2) 	the maintenance of the means of transportation by land, air or water and the control of the transport of persons and things; 

(3) 	the temporary acquisition or control of any property; 

(4) 	the evacuation of people, in their own interest or public interest out of the disaster area; 

(5) 	prohibition from entering the disaster area; 

(6) 	the entering and search of any premises; 

(7) 	the payment of compensation and remuneration to persons affected by the disaster; or 

(8) 	any other matters which may apply to a specific disaster event. 

PART 5 – MISCELLANEOUS

30 	Offence of obstructing a disaster worker 

A person must not obstruct, hinder or in any way interfere with a person engaging: 

(a) 	in any activity as a member officer or volunteer of an agency performing a role in accordance with the National Disaster Plan; or 

(b) 	in any activity provided by any regulation made under a state of emergency. 

31 	Immunity from liability 

No legal proceedings shall be brought by a person against the State, Minister or any other person or body engaging in any activity in accordance with the National Disaster Plan, for any damage, loss or injury sustained: 

(a) 	during a state of emergency; or 

(b) 	because of anything done or omitted to be done in good faith under the Act, 

unless such loss or injury is caused by or arises from negligence or wilful default. 

32 	Claims for compensation and remuneration 

Any person who has sustained any damage from a disaster shall request the government for assistance within one (1) year from the date the damage occurred. 

33 	Outstanding claims 

All outstanding claims for damages of previous disaster will cease on the commencement date of this Act. 

34 	Offence of making a false compensation claim 

A person must not make any false or misleading statement, or otherwise attempt to mislead, in making any claim for compensation in relation to the provisions of this Act. 

35 	Making a false statement 

Every person who makes a false statement for compensation claim is guilty of misdemeanour and may be liable for imprisonment for 7 years. 

36 	Utilisation of disaster assistance donations 

All donations, in money or in any other form made from within Tuvalu or overseas to assist in recovery from disaster or disaster-related shall: 

(1) 	be utilised for such particular purpose only; and 

(2) 	not be diverted for any other purpose without the authority of the Minister. 

37 	Victims of disaster 

Victims of disaster shall utilise all donations, in money or any other forms solely for the purpose of rehabilitation or recovery. 

38 	Misuse of donations 

Misuse of such donations for a purpose other than the assigned purpose will result in a penalty awarded. 

39 	Relationship of this Act to other Acts 

Unless specifically provided for under regulations within a declared state of emergency, this Act shall not alter or affect the provisions of other Acts. 

40 	Regulations 

The Minister may make regulations not inconsistent with this Act for the proper administration or giving effect to the objects and purposes of this Act.