This section requires the Minister to establish a National Disaster Management Advisory Forum.

Compliance Obligations?

The Minister may designate you as a disaster management role-player to take part in the disaster management forum. Take note that similar forums may be established at a provincial and local government level (sections 37 and 51).

This section requires the National Centre to develop and maintain a directory of institutional role-players that are or should be involved in disaster management.

Compliance Obligations?

If you are a designated role-player your details will be captured in the directory. This directory will include contact details, the particulars of your involvement in disaster management and the nature, capacity and location of emergency and relief services.

This section permits the National Centre to determine whether the event should be regarded as a disaster.

Compliance Obligations?

If the National Centre classifies an event to be a disaster, then they are required to immediately assess the magnitude and severity or potential magnitude and severity of the disaster.
A national disaster will affect more than one province.

On 15 March 2020, the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre assessed the potential magnitude and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic was classified as a national disaster.

This section permits the Minister to make regulations or issue directions dealing with various matters that may not be adequately covered in existing legislation to regulate a National State of Disaster.

Compliance Obligations?

The COVID-19 pandemic was declared a National State of Disaster on 15 March 2020. The National State of Disaster was terminated on 04 April 2022.

All Regulations and Directions made in terms of section 27(2) of the Act due to the declaration of the National State of Disaster, have been repealed with immediate effect.

For reference purposes only, the Regulations may be viewed here – Regulations.