Role of Civil Society in Enhancing Disaster Management and Resilience in Odisha
Abstract
Odisha, a state on India’s eastern coast, is one of the most disaster-prone states in the country. It is affected by cyclones, floods, and droughts. Following the Super Cyclone of 1999, the approach to disaster preparedness has slowly changed from relief to disaster management. In this altered context, civil society organizations – non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, self-help groups, volunteers and community radio stations – have become essential partners. This paper examines the changing role of civil society in disaster management and resilience across Odisha, drawing on 107 peer-reviewed publications from 2001 to 2025. It highlights that civil society organisations play a robust role in all the phases of disaster, that is, during preparedness through training, spreading early warning signals, and preparing local contingency plans, during response through last mile distribution of relief materials, support evacuation and two-way communication, during recovery through restoration of means livelihood, psychosocial support, resilient building back and during mitigation through advocacy for risk-informed development and ecosystem-based adaptation. Civil society involvement has gradually taken on a formal character through institutional mechanisms such as the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), and the Village Disaster Management Committees (VDMCs). While CSOs and NGOs have made significant contributions, there are still many issues they face, such as resource constraints, coordination gaps, capacity limitations, and the sustainability of engagement between disasters. The paper concluded that institutionalizing community-based approaches, expanding participatory communication platforms, establishing sustainable funding mechanisms, and deepening policy engagement are essential for strengthening civil society. The experiences of Odisha can provide salient lessons for the world's disaster-prone regions. These experiences demonstrate that successful disaster governance requires a true partnership among the government, civil society, and the people.