Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2026

3. The principal Act is amended in Part II by the repeal of the heading and the substitution therefor of the following: PART II THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT DIVISION The principal Act is amended by the repeal of section 4

4. and the substitution therefor of the following:

4. There is established the National Disaster Risk Management Division in the Office of the Vice- President, which shall be responsible for the implementation of the provisions of this Act.

5. The principal Act is amended by the repeal of section 5 and the substitution therefor of the following:

5. (1) The Division shall be responsible for implementing disaster risk management programmes and activities in the Republic. (2) Despite the generality of subsection (1), the functions of the Division are to— Cap. 1 Cap. 1 Repeal and replacement of heading to Part II Repeal and replacement of section 4 Establishment of National Disaster Risk Management Division Repeal and replacement of section 5 Functions of Division (a) act as the central planning, coordinating and monitoring institution, taking into account potential disaster risks, for— (i) the prevention and mitigation of a disaster; (ii) the preparedness and response to a disaster; and (iii) post-disaster recovery; (b) advise the Technical Committee on matters relating to disaster risk management and management of disaster relief operations; (c) warn the public of an imminent disaster and predict the effects of the disaster; 40 No. 2 of 2026] Disaster Management (Amendment) (d) maintain a data collection and dissemination system, national strategic reserves of essential commodities and equipment, for purposes of immediate disaster relief; (e) formulate disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation strategies and action plans to meet foreseeablere quirements in collaboration with Government agencies, non-governmental organisations, donor agencies and other cooperating partners; (f) prepare and update disaster risk management plans and the supporting disaster risk management manual; (g) prepare an over-arching national disaster contingency plan and coordinate cross sectoral disaster contingency plans; (h) establish an early warning system covering all sectors and hazard sources and maintain close links with different institutions that provide early warning services; (i) develop and sustain viable and effective structures and capacities at national, provincial, district and satellite level; (j)take necessary measures in order to prevent, alleviate, contain and minimise the effects of a disaster; (k) conduct public and media briefings on risks and disaster related programmes, progress and constraints; (l) act as an advisory and consultative body on issues relating to disasters and disaster risk management; (m) develop post-disaster reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery plans in collaboration with relevant stakeholders; (n) promote the recruitment, training and participation of volunteers in disaster risk management; Disaster Management (Amendment) [No. 2 of 2026 41 (o) establish and manage a national emergency operations centre, which shall be— (i) the nerve centre to monitor hazards, risks and emergencies; and (ii) linked to the normal operations of the Division; (p) act as a central clearing house for the reporting of a disaster and dissemination of information from the Council and Technical Committee before, during and after a disaster; (q) conduct comprehensive vulnerability and risk assessments before, during and after a disaster; (r) collaborate with other institutions and organisations which are responsible for disaster risk management at national, regional and international level; (s) promote the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for purposes of enhancing capacities and strengthening resilience of communities; and (t) maintain, and cause to be maintained, adequate response capacity and equipment to facilitate timely, effective and efficient response to a recurrent and anticipated disaster including— (i) ground and aerial assessment and analysis tools for capturing spatial and digital data and images; (ii) ground and aerial transportation and haulage equipment sufficient for timely and efficient dispatch of supplies to a disaster affected area; (iii) ground and aerial transportation equipment for timely and efficient dispatch of emergency response teams, equipment and materials; 42 No. 2 of 2026] Disaster Management (Amendment) (iv) warehousing infrastructure, equipment and tools which enable timely receipt, organisation, documentation and dispatch of relief supplies; and (v) equipment and tools for emergency reconstruction and rehabilitation of a disaster affected infrastructure. (3) The functions of the Division shall be guided by the humanitarian principle of do no harm. (4) The Division shall be the secretariat to the National Disaster Risk Management Structure. Amendment of section 7

6. Section 7 of the principal Act is amended by the deletion of subsection (3) and the substitution therefor of the following: (3) The Division shall— (a) monitor— (i) progress with the preparation, and regular update, of disaster risk management plans and business continuity plans by a person, institution or organisation involved in disaster risk management; and (ii) formal and informal prevention, mitigation and response initiatives by Government departments and ministries, the private sector, non- governmental organisations and communities, including the integration of the initiatives with development risk plans; and Amendment of section 8 Repeal and replacement of section 9 Functions of Council (b) measure performance and evaluate the progress and initiatives referred to under paragraph (a).

7. Section 8 of the principal Act is amended by the deletion of— (a) the marginal note and the substitution therefor of the following: Establishment of National Disaster Risk Management Council; and (b) subsection (1) and the substitution therefor of the following: (1) There is established the National Disaster Risk Management Council.

8. The principal Act is amended by the repeal of section 9 and the substitution therefor of the following:

9. The functions of the Council are to— (a) formulate and update the national disaster risk management policy; Disaster Management (Amendment) [No. 2 of 2026 43 (b) direct line ministries to take up their responsibility during disaster and non-disaster periods; (c) mobilise resources for disaster risk management; (d) approve national disaster risk management plans and guidelines; and (e) recommend to the President, the declaration of a national disaster.

9. Section 10 of the principal Act is amended by the deletion of — Amendment of section 10 Repeal and replacement of section 11 Functions of Technical Committee (a) the marginal note and the substitution therefor of the following: Constitution of National Disaster Risk Management Technical Committee; and (b) subsection (1) and the substitution therefor of the following: (1) There is constituted the National Disaster Risk Management Technical Committee.

10. The principal Act is amended by the repeal of section 11 and the substitution therefor of the following:

11. The functions of the Technical Committee are to— (a) recommend policy and programme direction to the Council; (b) co-ordinate the implementation of the decisions of the Council, using the sectoral skills and resources of line ministries; (c) supervise disaster risk management activities in the Republic and co-ordinate the disaster risk management of development and reconstruction programmes; content (d) supervise the work of the Division in the monitoring and review of disaster risk management plans; (e) control disbursement of funds from the Trust Fund; 44 No. 2 of 2026] Disaster Management (Amendment) (f) formulate a unified national early warning protocol to articulate responsibilities of institutions and agencies in charge of meteorological, hydrological, geological, biological and medical services; and (g) formulate a national early warning disseminating strategy to co- ordinate agencies that interact with communities and economic sectors. Amendment of section 13

11. Section 13 of the principal Act is amended by the deletion of subsection (5) and the substitution therefor of the following: (5) The Civil Service Commission shall appoint, as public officers, other staff of the Division necessary for the performance of the functions of the Division. Amendment of section 14

12. Section 14(1) of the principal Act is amended by the— (a) insertion of the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (i): (j) proposed addresses, locations and coordinates for resettlement schemes;; and (b) renumbering of paragraphs (j) and (k) as paragraphs (k) and (l), respectively.

13. The principal Act is amended in Part III by the repeal of the heading and the substitution therefor of the following: PART III PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES

14. The principal Act is amended by the repeal of section 16 and the substitution therefor of the following:

16. There is constituted a Provincial Disaster Risk Management Committee in each Province of the Republic, which shall be a sub- committee of the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee. Repeal and replacement of heading to Part III Repeal and replacement of section 16 Constitution of Provincial Disaster Risk Management Committee Disaster Management (Amendment) [No. 2 of 2026 45 Repeal and replacement of section 19 Provincial Disaster Risk Management Coordinator Repeal and replacement of heading to Part IV Amendment of section 21

15. The principal Act is amended by the repeal of section 19 and the substitution therefor of the following:

19. (1) The Civil Service Commission shall appoint, as a public officer, a Provincial Disaster Risk Management Coordinator. (2) The Provincial Disaster Risk Management Coordinator shall provide technical advisory support to a Provincial Committee, District Committee and Satellite Committee.

16. The principal Act is amended in Part IV by the deletion of the heading and the substitution therefor of the following: PART IV DISTRICT AND SATELLITE DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES

17. Section 21 of the principal Act is amended by the deletion of — (a) subsection (1) and the substitution therefor of the following: (1) There is constituted a District Disaster Risk Management Committee in each district which shall be a sub-committee of the District Development Coordinating Committee.; (b) subsection (2) and the substitution therefor of the following: (2) A District Committee consists of the following part-time members appointed by the Provincial Permanent Secretary: (a) the District Commissioner, as the Chairperson; (b) seven representatives of Government departments in the district; (c) Members of Parliament in the district; (d) a representative of the Zambia Red Cross Society; (e) a representative each of the non- governmental organisations and community-based organisations involved in disaster management in the district; 46 No. 2 of 2026] Disaster Management (Amendment) (f)a representative of a religious organisation in the district; and (g) one person from the private sector with relevant knowledge and experience in matters relating to this Act; and (c) subsection (3) and the substitution therefor of the following: (3) The District Disaster Risk Management Co-ordinator shall be the secretary of the District Committee. Amendment of section 24

18. Section 24 of the principal Act is amended by the deletion of subsection (3) and the substitution therefor of the following: (3) The District Disaster Risk Management Co-ordinator shall exercise the powers under this Act in consultation with the Division, Zambia Police Service, national security services and any other institution involved in disaster risk management in the district. Amendment of section 37

19. Section 37(1) of the principal Act is amended by the deletion of paragraph (l) and the substitution therefor of the following: Act No. 8 of 2020 Repeal and replacement of heading to Part VII Amendment of section 38 (l) emergency procurement procedures in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2020;.

20. The principal Act is amended in Part VII by the deletion of the heading and the substitution therefor of following: PART VII NATIONAL DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS

21. Section 38 of the principal Act is amended by the deletion of— (a) the marginal note and the substitution therefor of the following: National disaster risk management plans; and (b) subsection (1) and the substitution therefor of the following: (1) The Division shall prepare over- arching national disaster risk management plans for emergencies and disasters in the Republic. Amendment of section 40

22. Section 40 of the principal Act is amended by— (a) the insertion of the following new subsections immediately after subsection (1): Disaster Management (Amendment) [No. 2 of 2026 47 (2) Each sector shall submit to the Division a sector disaster risk management plan referred to under subsection (1) which shall be consolidated into the national disaster risk management plan. (3) The Division shall, where the capacity of a sector disaster risk management plan referred to under subsection (2) to respond to a disaster is overwhelmed, coordinate the response to the disaster in accordance with the national disaster risk management plan.; and (b) the renumbering of subsections (2), (3) and (4) as subsections (4), (5) and (6), respectively.

23. Section 42(2) of the principal Act is amended by the— (a) insertion of the following new paragraph immediately after Amendment of section 42 paragraph (d): General amendment (e) the minimum relief requirements in humanitarian response to a disaster;; and (b) renumbering of paragraphs (e) and (f) as paragraphs (f) and (g), respectively.

24. The principal Act is amended by the deletion of the— (a) words “Disaster Management Co-ordinator” wherever the words appear and the substitution therefor of the words “Disaster Risk Management Co-ordinator”; (b) words “disaster management plan” wherever the words appear and the substitution therefor of the words “disaster risk management plan”; (c) words “national disaster management plan” wherever the words appear and the substitution therefor of the words “national disaster risk management plan”; (d) words “sector disaster management plan” wherever the words appear and the substitution therefor of the words “sector disaster risk management plan”; and (e) word “Unit” wherever the word appears and the substitution therefor of the word “Division”. 4 8