Sphere India - Samanvay July 2025

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Message from CEO

Dear Readers,

As we reflect on July 2025, it is clear that the challenges and the calamities we face are growing in scale and complexity, yet so is the strength of our collective resolve. This past month, Sphere India remained deeply engaged across multiple fronts - from coordinating real-time disaster response to advancing long-term resilience through knowledge-sharing and capacity building.

Our Inter Agency Coordination (IAC) team actively supported coordination during key emergencies like floods in Odisha, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, and cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh, by facilitating timely alerts, SitReps, and joint planning. On the other hand, Sphere India Academy hosted impactful webinars on landslide risk, sand and dust storms, WASH and epidemics, and drowning prevention during floods. These sessions brought together diverse voices to address the realities of a changing climate and the vulnerabilities it exacerbates.

Additionally, under the Protection Sector Committee, Sphere India facilitated a panel discussion on inclusive humanitarian cash transfers, focusing on aligning cash assistance with social protection systems and strengthening gender-responsive, community-led approaches.

Policy dialogue and collaboration were strong themes across the wider humanitarian and governance ecosystem this month. Important developments such as the launch of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act and NDMA’s advisory protecting informal workers from heat stress marked key steps toward inclusive disaster governance.

The ASTHA monograph launch also powerfully highlighted community-led, disability-inclusive approaches to disaster resilience. Through its panel discussions, the event emphasized the importance of centering lived experiences, especially of persons with disabilities and grassroots caregivers, in shaping resilient systems. It served as a reminder that truly inclusive disaster resilience must be co-created with those most affected, recognizing their leadership and knowledge as critical to systemic transformation.

As we move into August, we carry forward the momentum built over the past month. We look forward to continued collaboration with partners and stakeholders to support inclusive humanitarian coordination and strengthen resilience efforts that reach the most vulnerable communities.

Warm regards,
Vikrant Mahajan
CEO, Sphere India

In this Issue

Program Updates
Sector Committee Update
Update from IAG/State Network
Updates from the Government

Updates from International Humanitarian Community
Climate corner
Grants and Opportunities
Upcoming Events & Plans Ahead

Program Updates

Inter Agency Coordination

Over the past month, the Inter Agency Coordination (IAC) team has played an active role in supporting disaster preparedness and response efforts across several states. A total of four Situation Reports (SitReps) and thirty-nine alerts were issued to ensure timely information flow and coordination among humanitarian actors. The Unified Response Strategy (URS) was activated in Odisha in response to the severe flooding, enabling quick mobilisation and targeted action on the ground. In addition, four emergency coordination meetings were facilitated - ranging from a focused inter-agency meeting in Odisha to KoBo toolbox training sessions in Manipur and Himachal Pradesh, and a preparedness workshop in Tripura. The team also supported an GO-NGO coordination flood preparedness meeting in Uttar Pradesh, bringing together government and

civil society stakeholders to strengthen local coordination efforts. Key disasters and emergencies tracked during this period included the Himachal Pradesh cloudburst, floods in Odisha, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, and heavy rainfall in Maharashtra. In each instance, the IAC team worked closely with government and local partners to gather updates, coordinate responses, and enable informed decision-making. These efforts continue to reflect the team’s commitment to timely, collaborative, and impact-driven humanitarian action.

Knowledge and Capacity Sharing

Landslide Risk and Preparedness in the Himalayas: Strategies for a Safer Tomorrow

Sphere India Academy, in collaboration with Mountain Forum Himalayas, successfully organized an insightful webinar titled “Landslide Risk and Preparedness in the Himalayas” on 03 July 2025. This timely session brought together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders to deliberate on the increasing incidence of landslides in the Himalayan region, with a special focus on cloudbursts as key triggering events. The discussion highlighted the compounded impact of extreme weather events driven by climate change and the growing vulnerability of mountain communities. Watch here>>

India’s Evolving Risk Landscape: Towards Inclusive and Adaptive Disaster Resilience

Sphere India, in collaboration with ICARS and IIT Roorkee (Greater Noida Campus), organized a webinar on “India’s Evolving Risk Landscape: Towards Inclusive and Adaptive Disaster Resilience” on 10 July 2025. Held on the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, the session explored rising disaster risks like sandstorms, cloudbursts, GLOFs, and flash floods. It focused on cascading impacts, climate extremes, and governance gaps—bringing together experts to discuss strategies for inclusive, risk-informed resilience. Watch here>>

WASH and Epidemics: Preventing Water-Borne Outbreaks During Monsoon Floods

A webinar on “WASH and Epidemics: Preventing Water-Borne Outbreaks During Monsoon Floods” was organized on 16 July 2025. The session addressed how monsoon floods disrupt WASH services, significantly increasing risks of cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea—especially among vulnerable populations and remote rural communities. Experts from public health and humanitarian sectors shared practical strategies for epidemic prevention, highlighting the importance of preparedness, community-led action, early response, and inter-agency coordination. Watch here>>

Building Flood Resilience to Prevent Drowning: Community-Centric Approaches and Policy Innovations

The webinar was held on 25 July 2025 to mark World Drowning Prevention Day. Organized by Sphere India Academy, the session focused on drowning risks during monsoon floods - particularly in states such as Assam, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. It highlighted the importance of grassroots solutions, innovative policy measures, and the urgent need to mainstream drowning prevention within disaster risk reduction and public health systems. Watch here>>

Collaborative Advocacy

Protection Sector Update

Harmonizing Social Protection & Locally Led, Inclusive Humanitarian Cash Transfer

A panel discussion on Humanitarian Cash Transfer was organized, which explored how cash assistance can be better aligned with government social protection schemes to improve inclusivity, efficiency, and long-term impact - particularly in the face of rising climate shocks and complex emergencies. Emphasizing a do-no-harm approach, panelists called for cash programming that strengthens existing local networks and governance systems, rather than creating parallel or risky mechanisms. The discussion highlighted the critical role of community - led models, gender - responsive design, and

intersectional targeting that accounts for vulnerabilities related to caste, income, disability, and household structures. Experts underscored the need for continuous data collection across the program cycle - not just at the start or end - and for tools that capture nuanced insights into gender dynamics, resource access, and social barriers. The importance of engaging local governance bodies such as panchayats, SHGs, and CSOs was widely recognized, as these actors bring contextual knowledge that improves targeting and accountability. Direct fund transfers to women’s accounts were highlighted as a best practice, along with safeguards to address issues like dormant accounts or loan deductions. To operationalize these recommendations, the session called for joint monitoring platforms, grassroots capacity-building, and policy integration that links disaster relief with social protection systems. Watch here>>

Update from IAG/State Network

On 11th July 2025, the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA), in collaboration with the Inter Agency Group (IAG) Uttar Pradesh, organized a GO-NGO Coordination Workshop on Monsoon Preparedness. The workshop was chaired by Lt. Gen. (Retd) Yogendra Dimri, Vice Chairman, UPSDMA, and brought together representatives from government departments and non-governmental organizations across most districts of Uttar Pradesh. The platform facilitated the sharing of monsoon and flood preparedness measures, strengthened coordination between stakeholders, and emphasized the importance of joint planning for effective disaster risk reduction during the monsoon season.

Updates from Government

Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025

The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025, which came into effect on 9th April 2025 following Presidential assent, introduces significant reforms to strengthen disaster governance in India. It aims to clarify the roles of authorities and committees, provide statutory recognition to entities like the National Crisis Management Committee and High-Level Committee, and enhance the effectiveness of the National and State Disaster Management Authorities by empowering them to prepare respective disaster plans, replacing earlier responsibilities of the Executive Committees. The Act also mandates the creation of disaster databases at both national and state levels and introduces provisions for establishing Urban Disaster Management Authorities in major cities and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs). These reforms seek to increase accountability, coordination, and efficiency in disaster response. Currently, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has 16 operational battalions with a sanctioned strength of 18,581 personnel. While disaster response primarily rests with state governments, the Centre supports severe events with financial and logistical assistance. To ensure better coordination between NDRF and SDRFs, several initiatives have been undertaken, including joint annual conferences with Relief Commissioners, nationwide mock drills, joint training programs, and the establishment of the NDRF Academy in Nagpur. Furthermore, a national-level capacity-building competition was organized in April 2025 to assess and strengthen SDRF preparedness in structural collapse response. These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on a more integrated, capable, and proactive disaster management ecosystem.

NDMA Issues Advisory to Safeguard Informal Workers from Heatwaves

In res ponse to the rising heatwave risks, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an advisory, focused on protecting informal workers in Indian cities, with special attention to women workers. With over 80% of India’s urban workforce in the informal sector - including street vendors, construction workers, domestic help, sanitation staff, and gig workers, the advisory calls for their inclusion in Heat Action Plans (HAPs) and the allocation of dedicated budgets for their safety. It recommends shifting work to early mornings or late evenings, avoiding peak afternoon hours, and ensuring shaded, safe workplaces, especially for women. It also urges updates to worker databases in collaboration with labour departments and unions, while proposing long-term measures like shaded vending zones, climate-responsive urban planning, and social protection such as heat-stress insurance, wage compensation, and unemployment support. Additionally, the NDMA suggests installing water

facilities and rest areas in high-footfall zones. To prevent monsoon-related diseases, a set of do’s and don’ts was issued, urging the public to eliminate stagnant water, maintain hygiene, use repellents, and avoid self-medication. Together, these measures aim to protect vulnerable urban populations from both extreme heat and vector-borne diseases through inclusive, climate-adaptive planning. Read here>>

Strengthening Disaster Response to GLOF Events in the Indian Himalayas

On 30th July 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs detailed the Government of India’s multi-agency initiatives to manage and mitigate Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), particularly in the Indian Himalayan Region. Under missions like NMSHE and NMSKCC, institutions such as WIHG, Sikkim University, and CWC have been actively monitoring glacial lakes, developing inventories, and enhancing early warning systems. The Central Government has approved the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP) with a budget of ₹150 crore for four Himalayan states - Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—to install monitoring systems, conduct vulnerability assessments, and build local capacities. NDMA’s 2020 guidelines and SOPs outline a structured, multi-agency disaster response framework. Responses to past GLOF events in Uttarakhand (2021) and Sikkim (2023) have informed updated dam safety protocols and mandatory GLOF studies for new dam projects. Collaborative efforts across ministries, scientific bodies, and state authorities aim to strengthen preparedness, reduce risk, and protect communities from future GLOF events.

India Accelerates Climate Preparedness and Scientific Innovation on MoES Foundation Day

On the 19th Foundation Day of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) held in New Delhi on 28th July 2025, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled 14 cutting-edge scientific tools and services, emphasizing the growing role of science in India’s climate resilience and economic progress. The new initiatives include advanced weather forecasting systems such as BharatFS-ERP, high-resolution rainfall datasets, seismic microzonation studies, updated ocean charts, and marine biodiversity reports. Highlighting a decade of transformation, the Minister noted the expansion of Doppler radars from 15 to 41 and significant upgrades in observation and alert systems, which now offer earthquake warnings within minutes and cyclone alerts up to 10 days in advance. Dr. Singh praised the impact of MoES tools like the Meghdoot app, used by over 7 lakh farmers, and daily SMS advisories helping coastal fishermen optimize their operations. He also spotlighted India’s ocean-based sustainability efforts, including six OTEC desalination plants in Lakshadweep providing over 1.5 lakh litres of potable water daily. The Deep Ocean Mission, with its ambitious Samudrayaan project, was positioned as a future economic game-changer akin to India’s space ambitions. The Minister stressed the need for stronger public engagement, localized communication, and inter-ministerial collaboration to increase awareness of science-driven services. He credited the rise in MoES’s budget from ₹1,281 crore in 2014 to ₹3,658 crore in 2024 as a testament to the government’s commitment and called on the scientific community to continue advancing the nation’s preparedness, sustainability, and global leadership in earth sciences.

Centre Strengthens Disaster Response in Himachal Pradesh Amid Rising Natural Calamities

In response to the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, including cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and torrential rains - Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah has directed the formation of a multi-sectoral central team. This team comprises experts from NDMA, CBRI Roorkee, IITM Pune, geologists, and IIT Indore, and aims to assess vulnerabilities and strengthen disaster preparedness in the state. Additionally, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) was deployed from 18–21 July 2025 for an on-the-ground assessment of damage caused during the Southwest Monsoon, even before the state submitted its formal memorandum. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Central Government has reaffirmed its commitment to support all states without discrimination during disasters. Accordingly, a high-level committee approved ₹2006.40 crore for recovery and reconstruction in Himachal Pradesh for disasters that occurred in 2023, with ₹451.44 crore already released as the first installment. Further, ₹198.80 crore was disbursed from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) on 18th June 2025 for immediate relief measures. The Centre has also deployed 13 NDRF teams along with Army and Air Force support to assist in rescue and relief operations across the state.

Updates from International Humanitarian Community

Advancing Disaster Resilience: Strengthening Social Protection through Disaster Risk Finance

A new study by the Resilience Development Initiative (RDI), supported by the Centre for Disaster Protection (CDP), explores how integrating Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) with Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) can strengthen Indonesia’s disaster resilience. Ranked second in the 2023 World Risk Index, Indonesia faces recurring climate and natural hazard risks that strain reactive, underfunded social protection systems. ASP merges social protection, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation to safeguard vulnerable communities before, during, and after crises. Aligning ASP with DRF offers operational and financial synergies, enabling timely, data-driven, and scalable responses that improve resilience and reduce delays during emergencies. Read here>>

An Assessment of Heat Action Plans: Global standards, good practices and partnerships

This synthesis report evaluates heat action plans (HAPs) from Australia, Canada, France, India, the UK, and the US to identify best practices and challenges in building heat resilience. It recommends an adaptable governance framework with standardized heat risk definitions, clear agency roles, multi-sector coordination, and robust early warning systems. Key takeaways include harmonizing immediate responses with long-term urban planning, advancing sectoral integration across health, infrastructure, and social services, and aligning national HAPs with global standards like WHO and UNDRR. The report also highlights the role of public-private partnerships in delivering targeted solutions and enhancing predictive technologies for heat preparedness. Read here>>

Climate-responsive social protection: A primer for philanthropy

This primer explores key global trends in climate-responsive social protection (CRSP) and identifies opportunities for philanthropy to drive progress across sectors and geographies. CRSP supports climate resilience, adaptation, mitigation, and responses to loss and damage from both extreme events and gradual climate shifts, while also aiding low-emissions transitions. Encompassing anticipatory, adaptive, and shock-responsive approaches, CRSP addresses both immediate shocks and long-term stressors. The primer highlights the importance of strategic philanthropic investment to enhance sectoral responses and performance at all levels. It also outlines the roles of non-state actors and offers a framework for effective philanthropic engagement in CRSP systems.Read here>>

Special report on the use of Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction

This special report explores how technology has evolved to support disaster risk reduction (DRR), highlighting its past achievements, current applications, and future potential. Through clear definitions and regional case studies, it demonstrates how innovations in data collection, processing, and hazard modelling have addressed critical gaps across various scales and hazards. Notable advancements include Earth observation, early warning systems (EWS), and hazard analysis powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). However, the report emphasizes that technology alone cannot solve all DRR challenges. Its effectiveness relies on integrating technological tools with social, economic, cultural, and infrastructural factors to ensure meaningful, inclusive, and context-sensitive DRR outcomes. Read here>>

Harmonising Humanitarian Assistance (HA) / Disaster Relief (DR) in the Bay of Bengal

On 8 July 2025, BIMSTEC, in collaboration with IPCS and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, launched the report “Harmonising Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief in the Bay of Bengal” at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka. Building on the 2024 policy workshop in Bangkok, the report calls for coordinated regional disaster response amid intensifying climate risks. Key recommendations include creating a research database, a unified regional disaster response centre, enhanced crisis communications, and a cost-sharing mechanism for relief supplies. The event, attended by senior officials, reinforced BIMSTEC’s leadership role in regional disaster preparedness and highlighted ongoing initiatives like the proposed Disaster Management Centre in India. Read here>>

Development at Risk: Protecting Gains and Unleashing Opportunities amid Crisis

The report highlights how unattended risks - whether climate, conflict, economic, or health-related - fuel crises. It emphasizes that investing in development is the smartest strategy for crisis prevention and recovery. The report calls for rethinking development beyond GDP, focusing on human development, resilience, and security. It urges a reimagining of governance through adaptive, participatory, risk-aware systems, and advocates for rebooting international cooperation via anticipatory financing and inclusive partnerships. Drawing from global experiences, it offers actionable recommendations and showcases innovative practices, such as community-led risk solutions, inclusive policy dialogues, and the use of foresight tools in national planning and crisis preparedness. Read here>>

The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025

The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 marks a decade of tracking global progress toward the 2030 Agenda. While strides have been made in education, health, electricity access, and digital connectivity, the current pace is insufficient to meet all goals by 2030. Persistent inequalities, conflict, climate crises, and rising debt hinder advancement. Despite this, successes like universal electricity in 45 countries and disease elimination in 54 show what’s possible. The report urges urgent action across six priority areas, including food, energy, education, and climate - and calls for stronger global cooperation and investment. Time is running out, and bold, inclusive action is essential. The next five years will determine whether the world can truly deliver on its promise of a sustainable future for all. Read here>>

ASTHA Monograph Launch on Strengthening Disability-Inclusive Disaster Response

On July 15, ASTHA hosted a powerful gathering at the India International Centre (IIC), Delhi, to launch two important monographs that emerged from the lived experience of grassroots disability organizations during the COVID-19 humanitarian crisis. Authored by Radhika Mullick Alkazi and Suhasini Bali, the monographs are the outcome of a multi-year, multi-state collaborative study titled “Strengthening Disaster Response: Community-Based Strategies That Worked During the COVID-19 Humanitarian Crisis.”

The event marked the release of two key publications with Iswar Sankalpa (Kolkata, West Bengal), which focuses on community-based mental health and homelessness response, and Jan Swasthya Sahyog (Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh), which presents disability-inclusive public health strategies in rural tribal regions during the pandemic.

In addition to the launch, the gathering featured two thought-provoking panel discussions that brought together voices from civil society, grassroots organizations, and the disability rights movement to reflect on community-led responses, inclusion, and systems resilience. These discussions were followed by an open interaction with the audience, allowing for deeper engagement with the themes and experiences presented.

The study and event together offered powerful insights into what resilience looks like at the margins, when communities, caregivers, and persons with disabilities take the lead - often when formal systems fall short. Far more than a documentation effort, the initiative serves as a tribute to collective strength, care networks, and inclusive leadership in times of crisis. Know more>>

Climate Corner

Unlivable: How Cities in Europe and Central Asia can Survive - and Thrive - in a Hotter Future

Extreme heat is fast becoming one of the deadliest and most overlooked threats to cities in Europe and Central Asia, severely impacting health, reducing productivity, and straining infrastructure. This, World Bank’s new report, identifies urban areas as both highly vulnerable and uniquely positioned to lead on resilience. With cities home to 70% of the region’s population, rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves have already caused tens of thousands of deaths and could result in economic losses of up to 2.5% of GDP by midcentury without urgent action. The report outlines practical, high-impact strategies for making urban spaces cooler, protecting lives, adapting infrastructure, and embedding heat resilience across governance systems. Read More >>

What does the first Global Stocktake mean for the National Adaptation Plan process?

The first global stocktake, concluded at COP28 in 2023, offered a clearer view of global climate progress and emphasized that current efforts remain insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement’s temperature and adaptation goals. A new report distills key messages from this stocktake for national adaptation plan (NAP) teams, policy-makers, and UNFCCC negotiators, focusing on how developing countries can enhance their NAP processes. It highlights the central role of NAPs in identifying medium- and long-term adaptation priorities and offers practical recommendations to align national efforts with global decisions and accelerate resilience-building. Strengthening institutional coordination, finance access, and monitoring is essential for effective implementation. Read More >>

2025 Global data centre physical climate risk and adaptation report

A groundbreaking new report offers the most detailed assessment to date of how climate hazards - such as floods, cyclones, wildfires, and soil movement - pose growing threats to the digital infrastructure that underpins today’s economy. As global demand for data centers rises, the report highlights the urgent need to integrate resilience into infrastructure planning and risk management strategies. Uniquely, it quantifies how structural adaptations can reduce damage, sustain operations, and curb rising insurance costs. For asset owners, operators, and investors, the findings provide actionable insights to future-proof investments, enhance business continuity, and protect long-term value in an increasingly volatile climate landscape. Read here>>

Sink or Swim: How the World needs to Adapt to Changing Climate

Sink or Swim explores the urgent, complex decisions humanity faces as climate change intensifies heatwaves, wildfires, hurricanes, and floods. The Author argues that current adaptation efforts are insufficient and that transformative change is needed. The book examines how climate impacts will reshape livelihoods, international relations, and human migration. It raises difficult questions: Should coastal populations relocate? How can we manage food security during widespread drought? What happens when water scarcity triggers conflict? Combining cutting-edge research, expert insights, and global case studies, It presents a compelling look at adaptation challenges, and the choices that could preserve a liveable future. She calls for bold leadership, long-term thinking, and inclusive planning to ensure communities are not left behind in the climate transition. The book ultimately asks: will we choose to adapt or be overwhelmed? Read here>>

Monitoring exposure to future climate-related hazards

This OECD paper introduces forward-looking indicators to assess exposure of people and agriculture to climate-related hazards—extreme temperature, precipitation, and drought - using climate model ensembles across various emissions scenarios. Findings show worsening exposure in many countries, especially under high-emissions pathways, with stark regional differences. Polar regions are projected to warm faster, Northern Europe may face increased extreme rainfall, while Southern Europe and parts of South America face prolonged drought. Although model uncertainties remain, especially for future projections, the study underscores the urgent need for improved data and adaptive strategies to tackle intensifying climate risks globally. Read here>>

Grants and Opportunities

UN Women: Women Empowered for Climate Resilience through Agricultural Innovation (WE-CAN), Madhya Pradesh

This call supports gender-responsive agricultural innovation by engaging women smallholder farmers in Madhya Pradesh. Selected organizations will work with lead women farmers and test biofertilizer biosensors over two crop seasons, aiming to scale climate-smart practices for improved resilience and livelihoods.

Grants: ₹31,00,000 to ₹37,00,000
Deadline: 7th August 2025
Know More >>

GEF Climate Change Adaptation Funds - Small grants programme

This corporate program of the Global Environment Facility supports local civil society and community-based organizations with funding and technical assistance to drive innovative local solutions that tackle global environmental challenges while enhancing livelihoods and reducing poverty.

Grants: $50,000

Deadline: 31st December 2025
Know More>>

Upcoming Events & Plans Ahead