Chairman of the Commune People's Committee directly commands and mobilizes resources to respond to natural disasters

Legal Consulting Office of Lao Dong Newspaper answers:

Article 2 of Decree 53/2026/ND-CP (effective from February 5, 2026) stipulates the amendment and supplementation of Clause 1, Article 7 of Decree No. 66/2021/ND-CP detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Disaster Prevention and Control as follows:

“1. The Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee is responsible for directly commanding and mobilizing resources on the spot to respond promptly when natural disasters occur; supporting response work when requested by neighboring localities; is responsible for directly commanding and mobilizing resources according to their authority, ensuring the principle of transparency and compliance with the law to respond to natural disasters when receiving requests for assistance from other Commune-level People's Committee Chairmen and directions from Provincial-level People's Committee Chairmen; reporting and being responsible for implementing the direction and command of higher-level disaster prevention and control agencies; and is entitled to mobilize the following resources to respond to natural disasters:

a) Commune-level disaster prevention and control shock force;

b) Police forces, militia, self-defense forces, forces participating in protecting security and order at the grassroots level, youth, organizations and individuals in the area and voluntary organizations and individuals in accordance with the law; requesting competent authorities to mobilize military forces in the area to respond to natural disasters in accordance with the law;

c) Reserve materials prepared by the people; materials, equipment, and vehicles of communes and organizations and individuals operating in the area.

Thus, from February 5, 2026, the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee has the same responsibility as above when mobilizing resources to respond promptly when natural disasters occur.