Reflecting on 2024: Lessons, Achievements, and the Road Ahead

As 2024 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on a year shaped by an evolving disaster landscape and our unwavering efforts to build resilience. From severe heatwaves to devastating cyclones, floods, and landslides, the country faced diverse and complex challenges. Sphere India, alongside our partners, responded to these crises with a collective spirit, advancing localized solutions, inclusive recovery, and sustainable resilience.

This year underscored the importance of community-centric approaches and the integration of modern technologies with traditional wisdom to effectively meet emerging challenges.

Looking Back at 2024

Major Disasters and Our Response

• Cyclone Remal: Coordinated a Joint Rapid Needs Assessment (JRNA) in West Bengal to guide relief efforts effectively.
• Wayanad Landslides: Facilitated emergency coordination meetings, deployed staff to the District Emergency Operation Centre, and conducted a rapid needs assessment. Published the "Roots of Resilience" report highlighting critical interventions by over 80 organizations and adherence to the "Orange Book of Disaster Management."
• Tripura Floods: Facilitated effective relief operations through Emergency Coordination Meetings and a JRNA under the Unified Response Strategy (URS). Played a pivotal role in forming an Inter-Agency Group (IAG) in Tripura.

Major Events

• Heatwave Preparedness Series: Collaborated with National Institute of Disaster Management , All India Disaster Mitigation Institute , and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital to improve sectoral responses to heatwave impacts, focusing on early warning systems, public awareness, and inter-agency coordination.
• Regional Trainings in Psychosocial Support: Organized in Mumbai and Hyderabad in collaboration with National Institute of Disaster Management and Americares India Foundation, these sessions built capacity to address mental health needs during emergencies, emphasizing holistic recovery. Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA)

• Brainstorming Workshop on Disaster Relief and Resilience System Strengthening: Held with UTTAR PRADESH STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY , and focusing on enhancing coordination, optimizing humanitarian logistics, and fostering equitable resource allocation. Insights from dignitaries and experts guided the agenda for systemic strengthening.

• Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) Training in Bihar: Strengthened capacity for livestock emergency response, highlighting the importance of safeguarding rural livelihoods during disasters.
• Table-Top Exercise for Kumbh Mela 2025 Preparedness: Participated in this exercise organized by UTTAR PRADESH STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY to enhance readiness for one of India’s largest mass gatherings.
• Consultation on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024: Facilitated inclusive dialogues to shape disaster management policies aligned with emerging challenges.
• Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024: Hosted sessions on indigenous knowledge, inclusive early warning systems, and proactive DRR funding, showcasing Sphere India's thought leadership.

• Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week (RHPW) 2024, Bangkok: Conducted sessions on "Localising Resilience: Pathways for Empowering Local Leadership for Scalable Impact" and "Unlocking the Potential of CSR," attracting diverse global participants.
• Role of Youth in Climate Resilience: Partnered with Bal Raksha Bharat to empower youth through webinars, consultations, and a climate action newsletter, positioning young leaders as drivers of change.

• Cold Wave Preparedness Sessions: Organized in collaboration with ICARS GNEC IIT-Roorkee and HCLFoundation to emphasize mitigation strategies, capacity building, and public awareness.
• Annual Learning and Planning Workshops: Reviewed the year’s progress in June 2024 and outlined strategic priorities for 2025 in December, engaging stakeholders nationwide.

Significant Publications

1. "Stronger Together": A Compendium of Stories of Courage & Resilience During Disasters. A testament to grassroots efforts, celebrating individuals and communities who inspire resilience.
2. CHS Hindi Translation: The updated Core Humanitarian Standard was translated into Hindi and launched nationally, with plans for further regional translations to enhance inclusivity.
3. "Roots of Resilience": Detailed interventions during the Wayanad landslides, showcasing collaborative action among 80+ organizations.
4. "Minimum Standards of Relief: Wayanad Case Study": Highlighting best practices and learnings from the Wayanad response.
5. “Humanitarian Logistics and Warehouse Management”: Comprehensive overview of the logistics processes during various phases; highlights key challenges faced, learnings and recommendations.

Learnings

2024 reaffirmed several critical lessons:

• Community-Centric Disaster Management: A proven, foolproof method for effective response across regions.
• Adaptability: The dynamic and changing landscape of disasters demands constant readiness and flexibility.
• Local Leadership: Empowering local community-centric leadership, particularly women, is vital.
• Youth and Children: Must be integral to dialogues on climate action and disaster risk resilience.
• Technology: Leveraging technology effectively enhances disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
• Collaborative Action: Unified efforts among all stakeholders are essential for impactful outcomes.
• Indigenous and Nature-Based Solutions: Need greater attention and development.
• CSR Potential: Fully leveraging corporate social responsibility initiatives for resilience building is crucial.

The Road Ahead: Plans for 2025

Sphere India will continue to build the nation’s resilience and invites all stakeholders for collaboration. Our vision is to:

• Empower Vulnerable Groups: Ensure children, women, and persons with disabilities are at the forefront of advocacy and action.
• Strengthen Grassroots Capacities: Foster local leadership for disaster preparedness and response.
• Integrate Climate Adaptation: Embed climate resilience into development plans.
• Enhance Data-Driven Decision-Making: Use evidence-based insights for strategic interventions.
• Foster Inclusive Frameworks: Ensure no one is left behind in disaster management and resilience efforts.

A Note of Gratitude and New Year's Message from the CEO

As we step into 2025, I reflect with immense pride on the milestones achieved and challenges navigated by Sphere India and its dedicated partners. Together, we have demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to building a safer and more resilient nation.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our members, partners, and stakeholders for their unwavering support. Your dedication fuels our mission to create an inclusive disaster management framework that empowers communities and safeguards lives.

Let us embrace the opportunities ahead with renewed vigor, fostering collaborations and driving impactful solutions. Together, we will achieve greater resilience and sustainability in disaster management.

Wishing you a prosperous and impactful New Year.

Sincerely,

Vikrant Mahajan

CEO, Sphere India

For more regular updates, follow us on Instagram; Check out our YouTube channel for insights from Sphere India Academy and Sign up for our monthly newsletter here: Newsletter Signup.