Social Mobilisation for Rehabilitation Relief Work in Cyclone-affected Orissa

The progress of relief and rehabilitation work in the cyclone-affected areas of Orissa has been abysmally slow. The coping capacity of backward regions is weak and livelihood and support systems of the people in affected areas is vulnerable to natural calamities. Rehabilitation work needs to be integrated with the goal of restoring economic security of the people and with poverty alleviation measures. This article argues for the need to have a permanent disaster management organisation and the need to generate social mobilisation and community participation.