Let’s come together to ensure children survive, learn, and stay protected in disasters and emergency situations.
Humanitarian Response Efforts and Initiatives in India
Every child regardless of their age, sex, caste, region, religion, and belief, has a constitutional right to survive, learn, and stay protected, even in times of crisis.
Bal Raksha Bharat, through several relief programmes and initiatives, has reached out to 47,798 Children and Adults in 2024-25. We relentlessly work on providing immediate lifesaving humanitarian support and child protection services, which include food and non-food item support, shelter materials, water, sanitation, hygiene materials and dignity kits, first aid, health and nutrition support. Our efforts are not limited to immediate response; we also work on disaster risk management, anticipatory action protocols, mitigation, recovery, and reconstruction activities to help communities be ready as first responders, prevent loss of lives and livelihoods, and build back better when an emergency strikes.
We have supported 58+ emergencies across India since 2004, reaching 21,858 children through humanitarian work during 2024–25.
Come, join our mission to ensure children and their families survive and build back better.
Over the years, the organization has faced a multitude of roadblocks, for which several solutions are devised to help us reach and serve affected children and their families in emergency situations.
List of some of our humanitarian responses:
Over the years, our organization has been at the forefront of responding to some of the most devastating disasters across India. From floods and cyclones to earthquakes and pandemics, our teams have worked tirelessly to provide life-saving relief, rehabilitation, and recovery support to affected communities. The following are some of the key humanitarian interventions we have undertaken in recent years.
- Assam Flood, 2023
- Delhi Flood, 2023
- Himachal Floods (Solan, Mandi, Kullu), 2023
- Chamoli (Joshimath) Flood, Uttarakhand, 2023
- Odisha Flood Response, 2023
- Kachchh, Gujarat Flood, 2023
- Odisha, 2013
- Cyclone Vardha, South India, 2016
- Fani in Odisha and West Bengal, 2019
- Amphan in West Bengal and Odisha, 2020
- Yaas in West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand, 2021
- Cyclone Dana, Kendrapara, Odisha, 2024
- Himachal (Solan, Mandi), 2024
- Uttarakhand (Chamoli, Joshimath), 2024
- Cloudburst & Landslides (Kullu, Solan, Mandi, Shimla), 2024
- Sikkim, 2009
- Nepal, Bihar and Odisha, 2015
- Manipur, 2016
- COVID-19 Humanitarian Response (2020–2022)
- Sarasvati COVID Response, 2023
- Balasore Train Accident Response, 2023
First to Reach…Last to Leave
Children often face the greatest risks in the aftermath of any humanitarian crisis, such as- separation from families, being subjected to different forms of physical and mental abuse, education loss and feel mental trauma and so on.
Bal Raksha Bharat follows a 72-hour framework that mandates the organization to start humanitarian response within 72 hours. The mantra is “Zero D Zero D,” which means 0 deaths and 0 days of loss of education.
We not only provide immediate support but also recovery, reconstruction, and rebuilding support till the children and families can survive on their own. It includes activities to build resilience among children and their families so that they can be better prepared to face emergencies.
donation for NGO helps us continue this vital work and reach more children in need.
Why the needs of children should be given priority in emergency response
India is vulnerable to a large number of hazard, which is compounded by increasing vulnerabilities related to changing demographics and socio-economic conditions, unplanned urbanization, development within high-risk zones, environmental degradation, climate change, geological hazards, epidemics and pandemics.
This poses a serious threat to India’s economy, its population, and sustainable development.
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Children are the worst affected during a humanitarian crisis or an emergency.There is a lot at stake for children during a crisis.
Latest reports suggest that children living in disaster-prone regions in India are twice as likely to be living in poverty. 733 deaths were attributed to severe heatwaves across the country.
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Children’s education is hampered during an emergency
Children are unable to maintain the continuity of education during an emergency.
In emergency situations, the lack of teachers and staff prevent education systems from meeting children’s many learning needs. Additionally, gaps in research and data procurement prevent decision-makers from evaluating the situation and responding effectively.
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Children suffer from lack of safe drinking water, food, and hygiene during an emergency:
basic necessities are denied to children during a crisis.
Children are subjected to some of the harshest living conditions during an emergency. Lack of food, water, shelter, and medical aid are the bitter realities for lakhs of children and families during a humanitarian crisis.
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Mental health and psycho-social impact on children during emergencies:Crises leave deep emotional scars that affect children’s long-term growth.
Emergencies not only strip children of their basic needs but also take a heavy toll on their mental health. Constant fear, loss, and displacement lead to trauma, anxiety, and depression among children. The absence of a safe environment, education, and emotional support disrupts their sense of security and belonging. These psycho-social impacts often continue long after the crisis is over, affecting their learning, social relationships, and overall development into adulthood.
Be a part of our Solution
We provide lifesaving support, basic supplies, hygiene kits, food baskets, and water to children and families at a time of a humanitarian crisis.
We are positive that through your help and support,
we will reach and help many more children in need. Your contribution has the power to give life to a child.
OUR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF WORK
While Bal Raksha Bharat has offices in 10 states, we have a roster of trained humanitarian workers who are available to be deployed across the country in response to an emergency situation.
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2008-14
In collaboration with the national government, we supported the relief work and provided our expertise during the Kosi river floods in Bihar.
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2015-2018
Cyclone Aila had a devastating effect on the livelihoods of the population in West Benegal. In response, we restored and promoted sustainable livelihoods in selected cyclone-affected areas of North 24 Parganas
districts of West Bengal, with specific consideration for the needs of women and girls aged 12-18 years. -
2018-2022
Bal Raksha Bharat has been working on Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Reduction issues in India since the floods in Leh, in 2010.
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2022-2023
We have provided the biggest and most impactful response during the Kashmir floods in 2014, the flash floods in Uttarakhand in 2013, Cyclones Phailin in 2013 and Hudhud in 2014.
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2023-24
A powerful earthquake hit Nepal in April 2015. In response, Bal Raksha Bharat launched a disaster response in Nepal with emergency assistance.
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2024-25
Provided relief during the East India floods.
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2025-26
Bal Raksha Bharat in collaboration with ‘I am for Alleppy’ banner and Kudumbashree (Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission) undertook the following relief operations amongst more humanitarian work.
- 32,762 from 6,125 households were supported with hygiene, utensil, and shelter during the relief period
- 30 Anganwadi centers were rebuilt in Kuttanad area
- More than 4,000 children were provided with education kits
- Massive cleaning drives were undertaken in six-gram panchayats with the support of the community
In collaboration with the national government, we supported the relief work and provided our expertise during the Kosi river floods in Bihar.
Cyclone Aila had a devastating effect on the livelihoods of the population in West Benegal. In response, we restored and promoted sustainable livelihoods in selected cyclone-affected areas of North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal, with specific consideration for the needs of women and girls aged 12-18 years.
Bal Raksha Bharat has been working on Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Reduction issues in India since the floods in Leh, in 2010.
We have provided the biggest and most impactful response during the Kashmir floods in 2014, the flash floods in Uttarakhand in 2013, Cyclones Phailin in 2013 and Hudhud in 2014.
A powerful earthquake hit Nepal in April 2015. In response, Bal Raksha Bharat launched a disaster response in Nepal with emergency assistance.
Provided relief during the East India floods.
Bal Raksha Bharat in collaboration with ‘I am for Alleppy’ banner and Kudumbashree (Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission) undertook the following relief operations amongst more humanitarian work.
- 32,762 from 6,125 households were supported with hygiene, utensil, and shelter during the relief period
- 30 Anganwadi centers were rebuilt in Kuttanad area
- More than 4,000 children were provided with education kits
- Massive cleaning drives were undertaken in six-gram panchayats with the support of the community
Bal Raksha Bharat’s teams stocked up relief material like shelter kits, household kits and education support material for children and families hit by Cyclone Fani.
Additionally, during Assam and Bihar floods in 2019, we reached 15,000 children in Assam immediately with life-saving aid including temporary shelter, water, hygiene and sanitation services – all of which are essential to protect children from the elements
and potential disease.
We continue to provide humanitarian support to victims of Delhi Violence since February.
We are also consistently providing COVID relief to many children, families, and communities since the first lockdown in March 2020.
We responded to the Assam floods in 2022–23 by implementing Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS), distributing education kits, food, hygiene supplies, and shelter materials with support from BMGF, GiveIndia, DEC, and HKDRF.
We also responded to the Delhi floods by providing shelter kits and setting up CFS to support children’s education.
Balasore Train Accident Response:
We supported affected families in the Balasore train accident by providing livelihood support with the help of Give Foundation. Support included setting up grocery stores, providing sewing machines, and distributing education kits.
Joshimath Land Subsidence Response (2023–24 and 2024–25):
In response to the Joshimath land subsidence, we implemented multiple interventions including:
Establishing Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS), Providing psychosocial support and emergency child protection services, Ensuring access to education, Supporting family and community preparedness, Distributing education and mentorship kits. This response was supported by NBC and SRF.
Flood Response – Delhi and Himachal Pradesh: We provided emergency shelter kits and safe drinking water packages to families affected by floods in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.
Landslide and Cloudburst Relief – Kullu, Mandi, and Solan (HP):
During the landslide and cloudburst emergencies, we provided relief support to 1,196 affected families across Kullu, Mandi, and Solan districts in Himachal Pradesh.
Health, Nutrition, and WASH Emergency Interventions:
Emergency health and nutrition support, including retrofitting of health facilities, Disaster preparedness planning for health institutions, Distribution of hygiene kits to families
Introduction of drone technology for emergency response in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh Landslide and Cloud burst:
With the support of Bolloré Logistics, we responded to cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods in Kullu, Shimla, and Mandi.
Reached: 430 households
Total population supported: 1,908 people
Total villages covered: 59
Odisha Flood Response – Kendrapara & Rajnagar Blocks:
In response to flooding in Odisha, we provided hygiene kits, food supplies, shelter kits, and established Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS).
Total reach: 4,223 people
Kerala Flood Response:
Provided hygiene and dignity kits to flood-affected families in Kerala.
Bihar flood response:
Under the Salesforce-supported project, we reached 550 families in Bihar with essential relief and support services.
We responded to the Uttarkashi floods with the support of Salesforce.
Relief items distributed included: Shelter kits, Hygiene kits, Food supplies, Dignity kits, Winter clothing, First aid kits, These were provided to 50 of the most affected families, ensuring survival support for 3 to 6 months.
Mandi Cloudburst and Flash Flood Response – Supported by Zee Entertainment:
In response to the cloudburst and flash floods in Mandi, we deployed drone technology to support humanitarian relief operations. This innovative approach was implemented with the support of Zee Entertainment.
Directly Impacted 21,858
children in 2024-25
Through the consistency of our donors’ support, we have successfully impacted the lives of many children.
We are indebted to our supporters and donors who have helped touch the lives of many.
You too can make a difference.
Join us in making a lasting impact!
Indirectly Impacted 25940
adults in 2024-25
KEY INNOVATIONS IN CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION AND RESILIENCE BUILDING:
Introducing logistic drone technology in humanitarian relief for hard-to-reach areas of Himachal Pradesh
Innovation of Customized responses – Education in Emergencies, Child Protection – Uttarakhand (Joshimath)
Health & Nutrition and WASH in disasters and emergencies – Himachal Pradesh(Mandi and Solan)
Partnership:
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).