Multi-stakeholder Participation in Disaster Recovery: A Case Study

Ever since the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and a series of disasters that followed in the last decade, triggered the nations around the world to focus on emergency relief operations. A well prepared and coordinated relief operation is required to reduce the vulnerability of the affected and bring back normalcy in the minimum possible time. The present article discusses the relief and recovery operation during the Hudhud cyclone that hit the coast of Bay of Bengal in October, 2014. The paper brings together the information collected through focus groups, personal interviews with personnel involved in the relief operations when the disaster hit the city. The article describes the different activities carried out at the different phases of disaster management process and concluding the different actions taken by the state to reduce the impact of such disasters in the future. Also, key learnings and focus areas are listed for reference in future disasters.