Regional Disaster Management Center of Excellence (RDMCOE) was established in August 2005, following a resolution by the Ministers representing the region during a meeting held in Addis Ababa in 2003. The Center operates under an International Treaty, which was signed by the participating countries in 2005, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1969.

The organization is primarily funded by the participating countries, with additional support from partners and donors. The funding is managed through a biannual budget, prepared in alignment with a five-year work plan, encompassing all activities, income, and expenditures of the Center for the relevant financial period. The budget is denominated in United States Dollars.

The support of the United States government, as an anchor partner, is invaluable.