
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
WHY DISASTER MANAGEMENT?
Disaster management encompasses three critical facets: Rehabilitate - restoring and rebuilding communities both physically and psychologically; Rescue - immediate efforts to save lives and evacuate individuals; Relief - delivering essential aid including food, shelter, and medical assistance to alleviate immediate suffering.
Our Resilient Response
For more than three decades, Sewa International has been at the forefront of disaster response across India-standing with communities during their most difficult moments. From cyclones and earthquakes to floods, cloudbursts, droughts, and the COVID-19 pandemic, our volunteers reach affected families quickly with food, water, shelter, medical care, and emotional support
Guided by the spirit of “Sewa Parmo Dharma”—service as a duty—we work alongside local communities, partner organisations, and government agencies to protect lives and restore dignity. Our approach goes beyond immediate relief. We rebuild homes, repair schools, revive livelihoods, support women and children, and strengthen community resilience for the long term. This Disaster Response portal brings together Sewa’s journey across 40+ major disasters, highlighting our impact, stories of hope, and opportunities for you to contribute. Whether you wish to donate, volunteer, partner, or seek assistance, this platform is here to guide you.
Our Strategic Approach
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Preparedness – Sewa International advocates for a year-round commitment to disaster risk reduction, emphasizing effective work during peaceful times to intervene early in the disaster cycle. An example is our prompt response during the Tapovan disaster in 2021, where swift information dissemination mitigated damage through timely warnings.
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Response – In disaster relief operations, we integrate development principles such as building local capacities and adopting participatory approaches. Following the Bhuj earthquake in 2001, we provided structural rehabilitation and empowered communities with skills in marketing and business development.
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Mitigation – We prioritize community-based mitigation programs, acknowledging that these are more effective and sustainable than technical measures alone. By collaborating with local community groups and maximizing local resources, we develop mitigation policies aligned with specific needs.
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Recovery – We prioritize safety, speed, fairness, and inclusivity in disaster management operations. By engaging in inclusive consultations with local communities, we facilitate a fair recovery process, contributing to better disaster risk management policies and fostering sustained recovery.
Our Impact
How You Can Help
Your support can transform lives and bring hope to communities affected by disasters:
25+ YEARS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT RESPONSE AND CONTINUOUS EFFORTS
The genesis of Sewa's movement in disaster response dates back to the aftermath of the Latur earthquake in 1993, marking the beginning of a small-scale rescue and relief effort. This initial endeavor prompted the formal establishment of a trust, leading to systematically coordinating volunteer activities.
What started as a modest voluntary initiative to aid communities in the wake of natural disasters gradually evolved into comprehensive, sustainable rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.
