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Communities face significant risks from natural and anthropogenic disasters, as well as epidemics, which endanger lives, livelihoods, and the environment. Government agencies are crucial in providing essential functions during these critical situations, including early warnings, evacuation, rescue, relief, and healthcare services. Alongside these efforts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and corporate social responsibility initiatives (CSRs) collaborate to provide swift responses, contributing to a comprehensive disaster response network.

In a state comprising 33 districts, approximately 24 districts are prone to a variety of calamities such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts, industrial accidents, road incidents, epidemics, and diseases. To tackle these recurring challenges, robust disaster preparedness strategies are imperative.

The efficacy of disaster response operations can be significantly enhanced through collaborative coordination involving government entities, NGOs, CBOs, and CSRs active in the district. The Inter-Agency Group (IAG), Gujarat serves as a network for close cooperation between these entities, focusing on all aspects of emergencies, from readiness to recovery and rehabilitation. By adopting a “Build Back Better” approach, the IAG seeks to strengthen communities’ resilience in the face of disasters.

objectives

IAG-Gujarat has been started for coordination among agencies at the district and state level, the main objectives of which are as follows:

Understanding the sectors of work and the efficiency of various agencies and their resources so that coordination can be made between them.
To provide a network for coordination between the various agencies for timely, effective and location appropriate response, with reduced duplication of efforts. Disaster management operations can be coordinated between NGO and GO so that the two stakeholders can provide complimentary services and actions at the taluka and district level.
To build capacities of groups of organizations as a whole, as well as individually, for improving preparedness towards disasters.
Preparation can be done to make the operation effective by documenting different experiences of disaster management of different agencies.

Highlights from IAG Gujarat

Coordination between the various agencies was initiated in 1998 during the response to Cyclone Kandla, followed by coordinated response efforts post the earthquake in 2001, which led to IAG Gujarat being launched during the recovery process, under Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan.
In the middle, IAG remained silent due to an absence of major disasters, until the Surat floods 2007, where IAG Gujarat was actively involved in response.
The years, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017 saw floods in various districts of Gujarat such as Amreli and Banaskantha. IAG actively worked to coordinate with the district and state machinery as well as the other organizations for relief and response.
Meanwhile, several cyclone alerts- Cyclone Nilofar, 2014, Cyclone Vayu 2019, and Cyclone Nisarg, 2020- were also issued where IAG Gujarat worked on coordinated preparedness.
A unique situation was presented to IAG in the form of the Pandemic in 2020 and subsequent lockdown, where concerted efforts were made to help the migrant workers with transport, medicines, food etc., and the community from Covid, livelihood loss, medical service and equipment support, as well as in the operation of Covid Care Centers. IAG Gujarat, with its CSO partners also provided support to migrant workers who were trying to get home.
In the year 2021, one of the few Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storms to affect Gujarat, Cyclone Tauktae, made landfall. IAG Gujarat has managed to reach up to 1,20,000 households across three affected districts- Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar- covering relief and response support across Shelter, Agriculture, Fishery, Animal Husbandry sectors, and compensation facilitation, in coordination with over 30 organizations of various profiles.
In partnership with Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) and National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), a Social Inclusion Survey was undertaken in all the cyclone affected districts. Information of 2500 left out cyclone-affected households was shared with the district authorities for inclusion in damage compensation. Approximately, 20,000 left out families were included in the resurvey for compensation for various damages.
In September 2021, continued heavy rainfall and dam overflow caused massive flood in 92 villages of Jamnagar. IAG Gujarat in coordination with the District Collector’s Office and local NGO partner organizations, conducted a Rapid Needs Assessment and determined the need for dry ration, shelter, hygiene and other basic household utilities. A relief strategy was designed, and along with three partner organizations, support to 1000 most affected and vulnerable households across 20 villages was provided through ration hygiene and shelter kits.
In the year 2023, the severe cyclonic storm, named “Biparjoy,” made landfall on the Gujarat shoreline, unleashing significant devastation upon the coastal regions of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Morbi. Amid this crisis, the IAG network in these districts exhibited dedication, seamlessly navigating throughout the event. They not only exhibited their own efforts but also formed strong synergies with diverse governmental bodies and local NGOs. This joint endeavour aimed at conducting thorough damage assessments and efficiently distributing relief aid.

This collaborative effort bore fruitful results, as it managed to extend support to over 3000 families. These families received crucial assistance in the form of essential dry rations, shelter provisions, and hygiene kits, alleviating the immediate hardships caused by the disaster.

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Highlights from IAG Gujarat

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