India’s disaster response needs to evolve to incorporate sustainable, community-driven strategies
[...]
Although local leaders have sometimes taken charge in the absence of immediate aid, a consistent framework for training, equipping and empowering them could foster greater community self-sufficiency.
Empowering local leaders and equipping them with disaster management skills could make communities more resilient, reducing reliance on external aid and enabling residents of disaster-prone areas to face hazards independently.
[...]
Minimising dependence on external aid through local empowerment and accounting for environmental impacts in relief actions are key steps. By building resilient infrastructure and embracing ecosystem-based DRR strategies, communities can become more self-reliant, prepared to face future hazards without solely relying on central support.
While India's current framework demonstrates significant advances, it also signals an urgent need for evolution. Shifting towards sustainable, community-driven strategies that emphasise resilience, environmental care and self-sufficiency can help the nation not only respond to but also recover from natural disasters in a way that empowers every level of society.
[...]