Organizational structure and tasks of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control

(Article 18 -Decree 160/2018/ND-CP)

1. The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is established by the Prime Minister. The Committee is responsible for inter-agency coordination to assist the Government and the Prime Minister in organizing, directing, operating disaster prevention, response, and recovery on a national scale. The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is entitled to use the seal bearing national emblem to perform its tasks. Members of the Committee work on a part-time basis

2. The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control includes:

a) The Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Committee

b) Deputy Chairman, including: Standing deputy head - the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, 01 leader of the Ministry of National Defense, and the General Director of Vietnam Disaster Management Authority;

c) Members of the Central Steering Committee are representatives that are leaders of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and Government agencies: MARD, MONRE, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Information and Communication, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Viet Nam Television, Voice of Viet Nam; representatives of some units of MARD, MONRE, Ministry of Defence, National Committee for Search and Rescue, and the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology;

d) Based on work requirements, the Head of the Central Steering Committee for NDPC invites representatives from the following organizations: the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, Viet Nam Women's Union, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Viet Nam Red Cross, and other relevant organizations to participate in the Central Steering Committee on NDPC.

MARD is the permanent body of the Central Steering Committee on NDPC, performing the tasks of state management on NDPC. The ministry uses the the apparatus and staff of the NDPC Department to serve as the Standing Office of the Steering Committee.

3. The Standing Office of the Central Committee has its own seal, allocated fund for operation and accounts at the State Treasury. The Chairman of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control shall define functions, tasks and operation regulations of the Standing Office.

4. Tasks of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control:

a) Guiding the development and urging the implementation of national strategies, plans, policies, and legislation on NDPC;

b) Guiding the development of disaster response plans;

c) Directing and coordinating disaster response and recovery on a national scale: directing the response of disaster levels 3 or 4; coordinating and supporting localities in responding to disaster levels 1 or 2.

d) Making decisions on emergency measures, mobilizing the resources of the ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, organizations  and individuals to cope with and overcome the consequences of natural disasters in accordance with the Law on NDPC and this Decree.

dd) Direct the consolidation of consequences and local authorities and ministries’ demands for emergency assistance, recovery and reconstruction and propose central government budget reserve, national reserve and other legal sources to the Government and the Prime Minister with a view to serving emergency response and disaster recover nationwide;

e) Inspect, expedite and instruct ministries and local authorities to engage in natural disaster preparedness and recovery as prescribed by law;

g) Direct, organize rehearsals and provide training for forces involved in natural disaster preparedness and recovery; direct, implement and organize the implementation of measures to gradually increase civil capacity for natural disaster response;

h) Direct and organize the provision of infrastructure, equipment, materials and special-purpose vehicles; establish database to serve issuance of decision on command over disaster preparedness and recovery;

i) Call for, receive and provide domestic and foreign assistance in case of emergency due to natural disasters; take charge of directing and coordinating the receipt and provision of assistance in disaster relief and recovery;

k) Provide guidelines, inspect, expedite and consolidate result of exploitation of resources and notify the Prime Minister thereof;

l) Direct and prepare documents, provide training, disseminate and raise community awareness of natural disaster preparedness and recovery on an annual basis;

m) Provide guidelines for natural disaster preparedness and recovery to internal voluntary forces in charge of natural disaster preparedness and recovery (hereinafter referred to as “the voluntary forces”).