Rwanda
Ministerial Order relating to Assisting Actors and Volunteers in case of Disaster Response
Ministerial Order 1 of 2018
- Published in Official Gazette 26 bis on 25 June 2018
- Assented to on 21 June 2018
- Commenced on 25 June 2018
- [This is the version of this document from 25 June 2018.]
Chapter One
General provisions
Article One – Purpose of this Order
This Order determines the following:1ºmodalities to mobilise volunteers and their functioning;2ºrequirements for disaster assisting actors who seek facilitation in case of disaster.Article 2 – Definitions
In this Order, the following terms have the following meanings:1ºMinister: Minister in charge of disaster management;2ºMinistry: Ministry in charge of disaster management;3ºvolunteer: a natural person who provides services, skills and knowledge for the benefit of other people on voluntary basis and without financial or any other personal gain.Chapter II
Volunteers in case of disasters
Section One – Mobilisation of volunteers
Article 3 – Mobilisation of volunteers
The Ministry cooperates with Districts and the National Platform for Disaster Management to mobilise people working as volunteers in case of disaster response.Article 4 – Call for volunteers in case of disasters
The Ministry basing on the needs during disasters, calls volunteers to intervene in the response.Article 5 – Criteria of selection of volunteers
To be selected as a volunteer, a person must:1ºbe at least eighteen (18) years of age;2ºhave an identity card or any other document to replace it;3ºbe physically fit;4ºaccept to work without remuneration.Article 6 – Duties of a volunteer
A volunteer has the following duties:1ºassist victims of disasters;2ºsupport existing Government efforts to help communities to prepare for disasters, mitigate gravity of disasters, respond and recover from disasters;3ºcooperate with other stakeholders intervening in case of disaster response;4ºavoid misuse of available resources earmarked for the assistance of a disaster-stricken people;5ºsubordination;6ºconsideration of vulnerable people;7ºimpartiality;8 ºteamwork.Article 7 – Assignments of volunteers in case of response
In case of response, volunteers carry out the following assignments:1ºto gather information;2ºto evacuate people in case of disaster;3ºto assess the needs in case of disaster;4ºto provide victims with material support;5ºto provide victims with medical care;6ºto provide victims with psycho-social support;7ºto assess needs for recovery and rehabilitation.Section 2 – Functioning of volunteers
Article 8 – Commencement and end of volunteership
The volunteership begins with disaster response and ends at the end of rehabilitation.Volunteership also ends when it is no longer needed.Article 9 – Training of volunteers
The Ministry and Districts, in collaboration with the National Platform for Disaster Management, provide trainings to volunteers to enable them to carry out their duties.Article 10 – Volunteers equipment
The Ministry and Districts in collaboration with the National Platform for Disaster Management provide volunteers with the necessary equipment to enable them execute their duties.Article 11 – Deployment of volunteers
Volunteers operate at Cell, Sector, District and at national levels.At each level, volunteers elect among themselves a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and a Secretary.The Ministry and Districts in collaboration, with the National Platform for Disaster Management, establish the volunteer clubs at Cell, Sector, District and at national levels.Article 12 – Response action instructions
Before commencement of response action, every volunteer is given rules of conduct and modalities for their implementation.Article 13 – Facilitation granted to volunteers
The Ministry facilitates volunteers in transport, meals and accommodation.Chapter III
Facilitation of assisting actors in case of disaster
Article 14 – Requirements for assisting actors who seek facilitation
An assisting actor who seeks facilitation must fulfill the following requirements:1ºsufficient knowledge that helps him or her in execution of his or her duties effectively, determined by a degree relating to his or her qualification and an experience in assisting victims of disasters;2ºsufficient budget for planned activities and necessary and sufficient equipment to be used during the period of assistance.Article 15 – Documents accompanying the letter of application for facilitation
The letter of application for facilitation must be accompanied by the following documents:1°a copy of identity card;2°a document indicating that the applicant carries out activities related to rescue.Article 16 – Modalities of granting facilitation
If the Minister analyses the application requesting for facilitation and finds it compliant with requirements, he or she requests in writing the competent authority to grant the requested facilitation.Chapter IV
Final provisions
Article 17 – Repealing provision
All prior provisions contrary to this Order are repealed.Article 18 – Commencement
This Order comes into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.History of this document
25 June 2018 this version
Commenced
21 June 2018
Assented to