State, NGOs and Disaster Management

Orissa has been quite vulnerable to natural disasters like flood, drought and cyclone in almost all the years since 1965. These have not only affected the human beings adversely but has also caused a great loss to property. The book, State, NGOs and Disaster Management analyses the impact of 1999 Super Cyclone in Orissa, on the livelihood of poor and vulnerable groups and the response of outside agencies including government and NGOs in relief, construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation. It also details strategies adopted by weaker sections, particularly dalits and women, to cope up with the situation. The much needed financial support for reconstruction an rehabilitation was provided by the State government. At the same time the help extended by the NGOs and other donor agencies in distributing relief cannot be ignored. The book concludes that it is not the government alone which can cope up with the catastrophe of such magnitude. There has to be, in a coordinated manner, the widest possible mobilization of various groups, organizations and institutions including local, national and international bodies. Besides, the participation of the community I also necessary for rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations.