National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan, By-Laws
The federal law establishing NDMA and Pakistan's national disaster management structure, passed after the 2010 floods.
Overview
The National Disaster Management Act 2010 created the National Disaster Management Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister, and its executive arm, NDMA, as the lead federal body for the full disaster management cycle: preparedness, mitigation, response, and rehabilitation. The Act also mandated Provincial Disaster Management Commissions and Authorities in every province, giving Pakistan a two-tier, federal-provincial disaster governance structure.
Key points
- Passed in 2010 following that year's devastating floods, to formalize disaster governance
- Created NDMA as the federal executive body under the PM-led National Disaster Management Commission
- Mandated Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) in every province
- Covers the full disaster cycle: preparedness, mitigation, response, and rehabilitation
Who this applies to
Government departments, emergency responders, NGOs and INGOs working in disaster relief, and organizations that maintain emergency or business continuity plans.
Frequently asked questions
When was NDMA created?
It was originally set up in 2007 under an ordinance, then formalized by the National Disaster Management Act in 2010.
How does NDMA relate to the PDMAs?
NDMA operates at the federal level, while each province's PDMA implements disaster management policy locally, under NDMA's overall framework.
What triggered this legislation?
The 2010 floods exposed gaps in Pakistan's disaster response system and prompted the law's passage.
Does NDMA only respond to natural disasters?
Its mandate covers the whole spectrum of disasters, natural and man-made, not just floods or earthquakes.
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