Responding to the Orissa Cyclone.

From the United Nations Disaster Management Team in India

After a devastating "super cyclone" hit India's eastern coastal state of Orissa on 29 October 1999, the United Nations Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) convened in New Delhi to set up emergency relief operations. The UN Resident Coordinator there offered the Chief Minister of Orissa the full support of all UN agencies in India in restoring normalcy and mobilizing funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction in the affected areas of the state. Interacting with the Government at the Centre and the State, as well as collaborating with international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP) prepared daily situation reports that were shared with the donor community. UNDP coordinates the efforts of all UN agencies working in Orissa.

The total UN special assistance to the victims of the cyclone in Orissa amounts to almost $16 million. UNICEF contributed more than half--some $9.4 million, including $3 million worth of medical and relief supplies distributed by the end of December 1999. WFP contributed some $5.1 million worth of blended food, rice, pulses and high energy biscuits. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) provided assistance worth $700,000, which includes supply of reproductive health kits, support to five mobile medical units and logistic support. The World Health Organization (WHO) contributed $100,000 towards the setting up and management of an emergency surveillance system to control the spread of epidemics and technical assistance.

Other UN agencies have made cash contributions to be channelled through UNDP for use in Orissa. UNDP had earlier earmarked $100,000. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance, and the Government of Norway each contributed $50,000. UNDP has allocated $420,000 through its ongoing programmes on food security and water rehabilitation, and an additional $15,000 towards the supply of groundnut seeds for farmers in the affected areas.

The specialized agencies have also provided significant technical assistance, especially in the areas of health and agriculture. In November and December 1999, several UN missions- the International Labour Organization, WHO, UNESCO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)--visited Orissa to assess the impact of the cyclone and the long-term rehabilitation needs in agriculture, livelihood, health and education.

In Bhuabaneswar, the state capital, the UNICEF office has been upgraded to a UN common office. The UN House has been fully operational since 1 December 1999, where WFP has in place one Programme Officer, one Logistics and Administrative Assistant and two Food Aid Monitors. UNDP/United Nations Volunteers have recruited nine National UN Volunteers to assist the district authorities in monitoring the flow of relief and rehabilitation resources. UNDMT has recruited a consultant each for technical programme coordination and food security, as well as shelter and housing. The NGOs involved in Orissa have been participating in the daily coordination meetings at the UN House, providing vital input in the planning and formulation of rehabilitation strategies. The World Bank has been participating in the UNDMT meetings with NGOs and bilateral agencies in New Delhi. The World Bank fielded a 20-member assessment mission to Orissa in early December and has expressed its interest in working with the UN system.

In addition to the regular coordination meetings, two policy workshops have been held at the UN House in Bhubaneshwar, bringing together key NGOs, government agencies, donors, bilateral agencies and UN organizations to focus on rehabilitation activities. As a result, working groups on infrastructure, livelihood and habitat have been formed, with representation from the Government, NGOs and bilateral agencies working in Orissa.

An important outcome of these meetings has been the establishment of the "Orissa Disaster Mitigation Authority" by the Government, which will have representation from all key players, including the United Nations, and will be the central coordinating agency in orchestrating rehabilitation activities in the state.

Thematic workshops aimed at addressing emerging issues at the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction phases are also planned. Workshops were held in February and March 2000 on shelter (sponsored by UNDP) and food security (FAO) , and those on education (UNESCO) and health (WHO) will beheld in April and May 2000.