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From Storm to Strength: Odisha’s “Zero Casualty” Model for Community-Centered Disaster Resilience

Africa - INTER PRESS SERVICE - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 10:05

A young boy was standing in front of a flooded area in Thuamul Rampur, Odisha, India. Disaster shelters are vital to ensure the normal livelihood in disaster-prone areas. Credit: Pexels/Parij Photography via ESCAP

By Rajan Sudesh Ratna, Jing Huang and Sanjit Beriwal
BANGKOK Thailand, Oct 6 2025 (IPS)

South Asia is home to nearly two billion people and ranks among the most disaster-prone subregions in Asia and the Pacific. Every year, millions face exposure to floods, cyclones and other extreme events. The Bay of Bengal alone accounts for nearly 80 per cent of global cyclone-related deaths, with storms striking Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka with growing frequency.

Although South Asia hosts one-quarter of the world’s population, it also contains nearly half of the global population living in poverty conditions that magnify vulnerability across the subregion. Building disaster resilience is therefore not only urgent but existential.

Odisha, with its long coastline, has repeatedly faced severe cyclones that have taken lives and destroyed property. The devastation of the 1999 super cyclone, which exposed the absence of coordinated warning systems, resilient shelters, and effective relief mechanisms, became the turning point for the state.

When Cyclone Phailin struck in 2013, the state evacuated more than one million people, saving thousands of lives compared to 1999. In 2019, Cyclone Fani brought extensive destruction, but fatalities remained under 100. These outcomes illustrate Odisha’s transformation from one of India’s most disaster-affected states into a pioneer of anticipatory disaster governance.

This success did not occur by chance. Odisha pursued a “zero casualty” model and created the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) in 2000, invested in cyclone shelters, early warning systems and a specialized disaster response force. Most importantly, Odisha placed communities and local governance at the center of its approach.

The state redefined preparedness by integrating local governments into disaster planning, building resilient infrastructure and mobilizing social capacity through women’s groups, village committees and trained volunteers. This people-centered model turned disaster management from a top-down directive into a community movement.

Comparative cyclone outcomes in Odisha

Sources: Government of Odisha (2013); OSDMA (2019; 2025c); UNDRR (2019); Pati (2019).

Building disaster resilience and beyond

The Odisha experience is more than a local success, it offers a global lesson. Climate change is intensifying storms, floods and heatwaves across Asia and beyond, and countries from Bangladesh to the Philippines face similar risks. Odisha demonstrates that resilience depends not only on high-tech forecasting systems but also on empowered local institutions, trust and participation.

Learning from Odisha highlights two critical aspects for disaster risk management:

    (i) Local leadership and community group support: Local leaders draw on their knowledge of terrain, vulnerable groups and community networks to act as effective first responders in emergencies. Community groups extend this reach by mobilizing people, building trust, and ensuring that warnings translate into collective action.

    (ii) Resilient infrastructure with rapid response and technology support: A combination of robust infrastructure, a specialized rapid response force, and technology-driven early warning systems enables faster evacuations, safer shelters, and timely relief during major cyclones.

The way forward: From local action to global responsibility

Odisha’s story shows that resilience is strongest when every actor plays a role. National governments, local authorities, communities, international organizations and the private sector each contribute in distinct ways, and together they can turn effective practices into global standards.

    ● Governments build the backbone of resilience. They establish strong policies, legal frameworks and sustained investments in disaster infrastructure. Governments must lead by setting “zero casualty” goals, funding cyclone shelters, expanding early warning systems and empowering local institutions. Local governments then serve as the frontline implementers, ensuring that policies translate into action and communities receive the support they need.
    ● Local communities provide the foundation of disaster preparedness. Villages, self-help groups and local councils translate official warnings into action by mapping evacuation routes, training volunteers and strengthening trust so that alerts are followed without hesitation.
    ● International organizations connect local success to global progress. By financing early warning systems, facilitating South–South knowledge exchange and scaling up community-based models, organizations such as ESCAP and UNDRR can amplify the impact across borders.
    ● The private sector drives innovation and investment in resilience. Telecom operators, fintech companies and clean energy providers can enhance disaster communications, enable mobile payments for relief, and power shelters through renewable energy. Insurance providers can design affordable products that help households and businesses recover more quickly.

Odisha’s experience illustrates how deliberate reforms, paired with strong community participation, can save thousands of lives. As climate change intensifies hazards across Asia and the Pacific, Odisha’s model demonstrates that resilience depends not only on technology and infrastructure but also on trust, participation and local capacity.

Rajan Sudesh Ratna is Deputy Head, ESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia; Jing Huang is Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia; and Sanjit Beriwal is Research Intern, ESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia

IPS UN Bureau

 


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République tchèque : alors qu’Andrej Babiš remporte les élections, virage eurosceptique en vue ?

Euractiv.fr - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 10:02

L’ancien Premier ministre tchèque et milliardaire Andrej Babiš, dont le parti, ANO, a remporté les législatives ce week-end, s’est engagé à suivre une ligne pro-occidentale alors qu’il entame les négociations pour former un gouvernement, qui ne devrait pas voir le jour avant novembre.

The post République tchèque : alors qu’Andrej Babiš remporte les élections, virage eurosceptique en vue ? appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Fico ‘proud’ to be expelled from European Socialists, hails Babiš’s election win

Euractiv.com - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:55
Fico accused the European Socialists of punishing him for having “a different opinion”

FIRST AID: Commissioners team up on Biotech Act

Euractiv.com - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:53
In today's edition: Week ahead, junk food tax and medicine shortage

Quatre façons dont le shutdown du gouvernement américain pourrait prendre fin

BBC Afrique - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:51
A un moment donné, la pression publique et les contraintes politiques pousseront l’une des parties à céder pour mettre fin à ce dernier shutdown du gouvernement américain.
Categories: Africa, Afrique

Quatre façons dont le shutdown du gouvernement américain pourrait prendre fin

BBC Afrique - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:51
A un moment donné, la pression publique et les contraintes politiques pousseront l’une des parties à céder pour mettre fin à ce dernier shutdown du gouvernement américain.
Categories: Afrique, Balkan News

Drones : Bruxelles cherche de nouveaux financements pour stimuler la production dans l’UE

Euractiv.fr - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:34

La Commission européenne examine les budgets actuels de l’UE et les cadres juridiques existants afin de trouver davantage de fonds pour la fabrication de drones, auxquels elle accordera la priorité par rapport à d’autres équipements de défense.

The post Drones : Bruxelles cherche de nouveaux financements pour stimuler la production dans l’UE appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Le mélodrame centriste de Manfred Weber et Iratxe García Pérez

Euractiv.fr - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:30

Bienvenue dans Rapporteur. Je suis Eddy Wax, avec Nicoletta Ionta à Strasbourg. Nous apprécions vos commentaires et sommes toujours ravis de recevoir des informations – n’hésitez pas à nous contacter. À savoir : République tchèque : le parti ANO du milliardaire populiste Andrej Babiš remporte les élections législatives France : Bruno Le Maire revient au […]

The post Le mélodrame centriste de Manfred Weber et Iratxe García Pérez appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Why do participatory approaches fail? Advancing sustainable urban development in the European Arctic

This article explores how participatory approaches and transnational cooperation can be advanced to advance multi-level governance in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on SDG 11 “Sustainable cities and communities”. Based on qualitative research in Finland and Sweden we show that participatory approaches fail due to a lack of administrative capacity, path dependencies, societal conflicts and power asymmetries between the actors involved, which limit the transformative scope and legitimacy of policies. We argue that central governments in particular need to take more responsibility, provide more guidance and invest in capacity building and community empowerment at the local level.

Why do participatory approaches fail? Advancing sustainable urban development in the European Arctic

This article explores how participatory approaches and transnational cooperation can be advanced to advance multi-level governance in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on SDG 11 “Sustainable cities and communities”. Based on qualitative research in Finland and Sweden we show that participatory approaches fail due to a lack of administrative capacity, path dependencies, societal conflicts and power asymmetries between the actors involved, which limit the transformative scope and legitimacy of policies. We argue that central governments in particular need to take more responsibility, provide more guidance and invest in capacity building and community empowerment at the local level.

Why do participatory approaches fail? Advancing sustainable urban development in the European Arctic

This article explores how participatory approaches and transnational cooperation can be advanced to advance multi-level governance in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on SDG 11 “Sustainable cities and communities”. Based on qualitative research in Finland and Sweden we show that participatory approaches fail due to a lack of administrative capacity, path dependencies, societal conflicts and power asymmetries between the actors involved, which limit the transformative scope and legitimacy of policies. We argue that central governments in particular need to take more responsibility, provide more guidance and invest in capacity building and community empowerment at the local level.

Selfies and singing as Ethiopians celebrate thanksgiving

BBC Africa - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:06
Photos capture the joy and unity present at this year's Irreecha festival.
Categories: Africa, Afrique

Selfies and singing as Ethiopians celebrate thanksgiving

BBC Africa - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:06
Photos capture the joy and unity present at this year's Irreecha festival.
Categories: Africa, Europäische Union

Selfies and singing as Ethiopians celebrate thanksgiving

BBC Africa - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:06
Photos capture the joy and unity present at this year's Irreecha festival.
Categories: Africa, Afrique

FIREPOWER: A plenary week plagued by EDIP

Euractiv.com - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:04
Plus, ASAP for drones and an Aegean SAFE objection
Categories: Afrique, European Union

HARVEST: Over to the MEPs

Euractiv.com - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 08:48
In today's edition: This week's agenda
Categories: Afrique, European Union

Monténégro : le retour en grâce des vétérans de la haine

Courrier des Balkans / Monténégro - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 08:46

Ils ont salué le siège de Dubrovnik et appelé à la guerre tout au long des années 1990. Ces vétérans de la haine sont désormais cités en modèles de journalistes et pèsent plus que jamais dans le débat public. Le Monténégro avance-t-il en marche arrière ?

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Monténégro : le retour en grâce des vétérans de la haine

Courrier des Balkans - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 08:46

Ils ont salué le siège de Dubrovnik et appelé à la guerre tout au long des années 1990. Ces vétérans de la haine sont désormais cités en modèles de journalistes et pèsent plus que jamais dans le débat public. Le Monténégro avance-t-il en marche arrière ?

- Articles / , , , , ,

« Nous sommes le souffre-douleur de la nation » : en Allemagne, les pharmaciens confrontés aux pénuries et à la dégradation de leurs conditions de travail

Euractiv.fr - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 08:25

« J'ai des dizaines d'amis qui ont mis la clé sous la porte ou qui risquent la faillite », explique Uta Mühle, une pharmacienne allemande récemment victime de harcèlement sur les réseaux sociaux.

The post « Nous sommes le souffre-douleur de la nation » : en Allemagne, les pharmaciens confrontés aux pénuries et à la dégradation de leurs conditions de travail appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Categories: Afrique, Union européenne

Saint-Pétersbourg : l'extrême droite serbe au coeur des réseaux russes

Courrier des Balkans / Serbie - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 07:58

La « League of Anti-Globalists » a réuni des représentants de l'extrême droite européenne à Saint-Pétersbourg, autour de l'idéologue russe Alexandre Douguine. Aux côtés de l'AFD ou des révisionnistes hongrois, l'extrême droite serbe était bien représentée... Une manifestation est prévue en octobre à Belgrade.

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