With climate change leading to more natural disasters, having resilient communities is more important than ever. India faces many challenges due to its diverse landscapes and risks of floods, cyclones, and earthquakes. While many people suffer during these events, some communities stay safe, showing the value of preparation and proactive measures.
Resilient communities are not merely fortuitous; they are the result of thoughtful planning, strategic resource allocation, and collaborative efforts. As we explore the dynamics of resilience, it is essential to understand the historical and contemporary examples that illustrate effective community responses to disasters.
Through history, advanced town planning and effective water conservation have proven essential in community survival. One notable example is Dholavira, an ancient city of the Indus Valley civilization, which featured an intricate water management system comprising stone-built channels and reservoirs. This innovative design enabled Dholavira to withstand droughts, thriving in an arid environment where neighboring cities faltered under water scarcity.
In more recent times, Kameshwaram in Tamil Nadu stands as an example of resilience. Its residents, who engaged in mangrove plantation and restoration before the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, benefited from a natural shield against the disaster. Similarly, in Kerala’s Kuttanad village, the community raised their homes’ platforms, significantly reducing the impact of the 2018 floods that ravaged the region.
The effectiveness of community-level resilience-building is well documented, yet the impact of disasters in India remains immense. Why are tested strategies not being scaled? Why do many communities in disaster-prone areas remain vulnerable? Resources—time, money, and knowledge—play a crucial role. Communities that have succeeded either had their own resources or received support from external actors.
Unfortunately, resource planning and allocation often remain top-down, perpetuating the problem. Without addressing this gap, the conversation will continue to revolve around community-based disaster risk reduction without real progress. Strengthening and investing in local governance is essential for achieving widespread change.
A framework for building resilient communities can be summarised by the acronym RECLIP: Resources, Enabling Environment, Collaboration, Localisation, Inclusion, and Participation.
Resources: Dedicated funding for community-level disaster mitigation and preparedness is crucial. Communities require financial support to implement effective strategies that enhance their resilience.
Enabling Environment: Policies and plans that foster resilience should be established at the systems level, alongside investments in infrastructure, capital, and skill development. Disasters often disrupt essential services, such as transportation, healthcare, telecommunications, and power supply, which can halt recovery efforts. India has launched a Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure to strengthen critical infrastructure. However, the isolation of ministries and departments at both the central and state levels have hindered a cohesive approach to disaster risk reduction. Integrating disaster preparedness and management into existing planning and capacity-building initiatives is essential.
Collaboration: Communities that collaborate with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders during peaceful times are better equipped to handle disasters. These partnerships help establish norms for early warning systems and response protocols, enabling communities to act swiftly when crises arise.
Localisation: Localising disaster planning and response ensures that resources are available as close to the community as possible. Locals are most familiar with their unique vulnerabilities and capacities, allowing for realistic and effective planning. Enhancing knowledge and building local capacities to withstand hazards is vital for fostering resilience.
Inclusion: Social inclusion is critical for effective disaster response. Addressing the needs of marginalized groups—such as women, children, the differently-abled, and other vulnerable populations—ensures that everyone has access to the resources they need during emergencies. Involving communities in assessments, planning, response, and recovery helps ensure that the right people receive the appropriate support, materials, and services at the right time and quality.
Participation: Engaging communities in decision-making regarding assessments, planning, and resource allocation empowers them and strengthens resilience. Participatory Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (VCA) are effective tools for collaborative evaluation and planning. Systems should support community participation, independent of administrative constraints. The 2018 Kerala floods showcased remarkable community engagement, with local residents playing vital roles in search and rescue operations, relief efforts, and recovery processes.
For resilient communities, a concerted effort is needed. Resources must be allocated where they are most required, well-coordinated systems must empower local capacities, and collaboration between stakeholders must be strengthened. Localizing planning, implementation, and capacity building, alongside adopting an inclusive and participatory approach, is the way forward.
The author is Humanitarian and Development Professional