The cyclone-prone Eastern state of Odisha in Eastern India is vulnerable to recurrent severe cyclones, storm surges, flooding and extreme rain. While not all disaster risk reduction is related to climate change, negative climate trends will increase vulnerability to all hazards. Combined forms of adaptation and disaster risk reduction are not well understood and linkages to development (to reduce poverty, vulnerability and strengthen livelihoods) are often missing.

The “Getting Climate Smart For Disasters” project investigated the role of livelihood diversification (assets and incomes included) as a means to reduce climate dependency and increase resilience to shocks and stressors. This included the introduction and scaling up of diversified non-farm based livelihoods and micro-credit insurance schemes that helped secure assets. In addition, it conducted a ‘Reverse Engineering’ exercise of a recent disaster to provide deeper understanding of the actions and behaviours of relevant institutions in the lead up to the disaster.

This project engaged institutions across the spectrum of governance at the national, state, district and local levels. It researched the institutional barriers and opportunities to enable converged DRR and CCA action and explored policy innovations.

Explore reports, presentations, blog posts and other outputs on the project’s microsite.

This effort is one of six projects funded by CDKN and START between 2012 and 2014, focusing on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in South Asia.