Protection and inclusion: The importance of disaster law and policy – Factsheet

Disaster Law and Policy is integral to ensure that all people are included in, and protected by disaster and climate change actions.

Most countries have some form of disaster risk management system that is underpinned by one or more laws. These frameworks establish the legal basis for all aspects of disaster risk management from risk reduction, to preparedness, response and recovery and provide the enabling environment for actions downstream. Disaster Law helps to clarify roles and responsibilities and coordination mechanisms for disaster risk management across sectors as well as from national to locallevel.

Used effectively, Disaster Law and Policy can support more integrated, inclusive and equitable approaches to building resilience. They can mandate governmental actors to identify, plan, resource and meet the speci c needs of vulnerable groups. They can require the direct and meaningful participation of vulnerable groups in decision-making, design and implementation of disaster and climate change activities.