Disaster Management Act, 2012 (Bangladesh)

The Act defines Disaster Managements as a methodical institutional structure and programme for disaster risk reduction and immediate response after disaster. The Act creates a National Disaster Management Council, composed of the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet, which shall essentially provide strategic guidelines and direction on disaster management. It also creates the Department of Disaster Management whose responsibilities and functions include reducing the overall effect of disasters by bringing their damaging effects to a tolerable level, conducting emergency human aid, rescue and rehabilitation, and coordinate and strengthen disaster management programs. The Act also provides for certain punishable offenses in violation of the act.