Climate disasters are no longer exceptional events in India and have become a persistent reality. In 2023 alone, the country experienced extreme weather events on the majority of days of the year. Floods, droughts, cyclones, and heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, disrupting education, destroying livelihoods, damaging homes and cropland, and pushing poor households into years-long recovery cycles (see figures for current and future risk of climate events in India). Women, children, and marginalized communities face disproportionate impacts from these events. 

Figure 1. Comparison of near and far future risk of severe fluvial flooding in India

Figure 2. Comparison of current and future risk of category 3 cyclones in India

While India has made significant progress in saving lives, survival alone is no longer enough. This report, developed by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and Dalberg, argues for a decisive shift from reactive relief to proactive, community-centric resilience. Communities are not passive beneficiaries; instead, they are first responders, knowledge holders, and the only actors present before, during, and long after disasters. Building resilience means strengthening five interconnected forms of capital: physical, financial, human, social, and natural. When reinforced together, they enable communities not just to survive shocks, but to adapt and thrive amid uncertainty. 

Every USD 1 invested in disaster risk reduction can save up to USD 15 in future losses. For philanthropy, resilience is now a precondition for impact. The report outlines actionable pathways for philanthropy: invest directly in community capacity and innovative financing, and embed resilience across sectoral portfolios. 

Read the full report to know more.