Reducing economic damages to disasters for eliminating poverty and exclusion: Oxfam India plans celebration of IDDR, 2018 with the poor, the most vulnerable and the excluded

The International Day for Disaster Reduction, 2018 which is focusing upon ‘Target C’ of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk reduction i.e., “Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030” has great significance for Oxfam India as it believes that poverty and sufferings are not inevitable and that poverty induced vulnerability represents an unacceptable level of injustice and inequality. Oxfam India practices an integrated approach to development, humanitarian and advocacy with an improved understanding of disaster risks thereby enhancing people’s resilience to disasters, raising their voices and enabling them to protect their lives and livelihoods. It is understood with Oxfam India that reduced economic losses to disasters will increase the pace of the poor fighting poverty and inequality to rise above poverty and lead a life with dignity and respect.

Oxfam India joins hand with global community in celebrating IDDR, 2018 with this very belief and has adopted a robust plan with partners to celebrate this International Day for Disaster Reduction. Oxfam India along with partners is working with local communities, local government and civil society networks in four highly vulnerable states of India namely; Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. Each of these states share a dynamic picture of vulnerability which are unique from one another. Recognizing the diversity in exposure and vulnerabilities and the focus of programming, a state wise plan for IDDR celebration has been prepared:

Strategic Focus

While Oxfam India has a central focus on the global theme, the events planned will strategically focus on issues and concerns of excluded communities to ensure that their voices are shared and acknowledged within the larger vulnerable communities. The idea of 'social inclusion' will be practiced and promoted in an integrated manner with the designated theme of IDDR, 2018 through ensuring participation and leadership of excluded communities in the planned events. The events will ensure that communities from all castes and tribes (particularly SC and ST), persons having differential abilities and gender are given opportunity to learn and share their learning of economic resilience.