Women are not only the most affected during and after disasters but also often act as first responders

Tragically, reports of child and women trafficking emerged after the cyclone, following the distribution of death compensation to the affected families. The compensation amount at that time was Rs 75,000 per person, which was significant.

Many of the widows who lost their spouses remarried. Unfortunately, many subsequently faced gender-based violence from their husbands, who sought control over the compensation and the victims’ property.

In response to the alarming situation faced by widows, destitute orphans, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, a unique initiative called Mamta Gruha, meaning “abode of love and affection,” was established under the Sneha Abhiyaan project. This initiative was developed through collaboration between the Centre, the Odisha government, UNICEF, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, ActionAid, Nature’s Club and other local non-profits.

Mamta Gruha provided safe spaces where these vulnerable groups could receive comprehensive care and protection. The primary focus was on addressing their essential needs, including food, nutrition and healthcare (including medical and psychosocial support) and ensuring their overall well-being. Community volunteers played a crucial role in assisting these individuals and helping them access government-announced compensations.

In the devastating cyclone, Nayak tragically lost 11 family members, including her husband, son and grandchildren. She received death compensation for all her family members and livelihood support of Rs 24,000 from ActionAid.

However, her elder son unlawfully took control of all the land and money meant for her. As a result, she is currently engaged in a civil case to fight for her rights. Nayak now relies on a meagre monthly pension of Rs 500 for her sustenance. Her situation highlights the challenges faced by these women even after receiving compensation, as their family members may take advantage of the funds, leading to further hardship and vulnerability.

Sita Maity, a 42-year-old resident of Kankan, Jagatsinghpur, shared her experience after surviving the Super Cyclone. She mentioned that it took seven days for her to be rescued. According to Sita and other women in Jagatsinghpur, two significant measures are undertaken during cyclones to support women: Shifting pregnant women to nearby hospitals and distributing free sanitary pads.

However, they expressed a lack of awareness regarding the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms and the compensation for the loss of lives and livelihoods.

The women in the community also face challenges, such as regular seawater intrusion in their fields, resulting in crop loss and damage to agricultural areas during cyclones. Unfortunately, they do not receive compensation for these losses. Additionally, the compensation provided for damaged houses, which is Rs 3,200 even for complete destruction, is inadequate for rebuilding Kutcha houses.

There is a pressing need for special care and attention to be given to women and children in disaster situations. Such emergencies often lead to an increase in cases of elopement and teenage pregnancies. The medical centre in Erasama, located 10 km from Jagatsingpur, lacks the capacity to provide psychosocial care and no emergency medical support is available at the shelter. Sita also mentioned that the cyclone shelter is in need of repairs.

While menstruating women receive free sanitary napkins provided by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers, cultural beliefs often prevent menstruating girls or women from being brought to the cyclone shelter. This highlights the importance of addressing cultural norms and ensuring that all women, regardless of their menstrual status, have access to safe shelter and support during cyclones.

Self-Help Groups in the village can be entrusted with managing cyclone shelters, including the distribution of cooked food. These women leaders can also create safe spaces within existing cyclone shelters, drawing from the experience of initiatives like Sneha Abhiyaan. In case there is a need for new cyclone shelters due to the rising population, it is important to allocate designated spaces for women, children and other vulnerable groups.

By adopting these measures and prioritising the needs and empowerment of women and vulnerable groups, we can work towards building resilient communities that are better prepared to face future disasters and mitigate their impact on the most marginalised sections of society.