ADS 530 - Emergency Planning Overseas

The Chief of Mission (COM) or Principal Officer (PO) is responsible for designating a Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO). In countries where USAID has a presence, the COM or PO normally delegates authority for the MDRO role to the USAID Mission Director, although the USAID Mission Director may further re-delegate this authority. The COM or PO also establishes an Emergency Action Committee (EAC), which is an advisory body of subject matter experts that assists in preparing for and responding to threats, emergencies, and other crises at the post or against U.S. interests elsewhere. The EAC for each post develops an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), which is a living document that provides procedures for response to foreseeable contingencies at a particular post. The Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) is responsible for developing a Mission Disaster Relief Plan (MDRP), which is Annex J of the EAP. The MDRP focuses on humanitarian relief planning for the host country population in case of a disaster. The USAID Mission Director is responsible for designating a USAID representative to serve on the EAC. The USAID Mission Director may also have the responsibility to serve as the MDRO, though this responsibility is often further delegated. USAID employees must comply with the Uniform Regulations (policies and procedures) contained in 12 FAH-1, Emergency Planning Handbook, which is the governing directive for USAID's emergency planning overseas. The Emergency Action Committee (EAC) is an advisory body of subject matter experts that assists in preparing for and responding to threats, emergencies, and other crises at the post or against U.S. interests elsewhere. The EAC develops its post-specific Emergency Action Plan (EAP), which is a comprehensive plan that provides procedures for response to foreseeable contingencies at a particular post. Every USAID Mission must maintain an up-to-date Mission Disaster Relief Plan (MDRP). The Bureau for Democracy, Conflict & Humanitarian Assistance, Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (DCHA/OFDA) is responsible for the management of all U.S. Government foreign disaster assistance. The terms and definitions listed below have been incorporated into the ADS Glossary. The Chief of Mission is the principal officer in charge of a diplomatic Mission of the United States or of a United States office abroad which is designated by the Secretary of State as diplomatic in nature. A disaster is an unexpected occurrence, man-made or natural, that causes loss of life, health, property or livelihood, inflicting widespread destruction and distress and having long-term, adverse effects on Agency operations. The Emergency Action Committee (EAC) is an advisory body of subject matter experts that assists in preparing for and responding to threats, emergencies, and other crises at the post or against U.S. interests elsewhere. The EAC develops its post-specific Emergency Action Plan (EAP).