As I sat in a hotel room in Jaipur, watching the evening sun slowly disappear beyond the horizon, my thoughts drifted to the devastating floods in Assam. Like many others, I reached out to friends and former colleagues working on the ground to understand the scale of the humanitarian crisis and the nature of the ongoing response.
For more than four and a half decades, I had the privilege of serving with one of India's leading humanitarian organisations, CASA, which was often among the first responders to disasters across the country. Whether it was floods, cyclones, earthquakes, droughts or communal violence, CASA stood alongside affected communities through rescue, relief, rehabilitation and long-term recovery. I was fortunate to contribute to every stage of disaster management—from preparedness and emergency response to reconstruction and resilience building.
Those experiences inevitably shape the way I observe humanitarian action today.
As I reflected on the response in Assam, one question kept returning to my mind: what has changed in India's humanitarian ecosystem over the past decade?
The answer is neither simple nor singular, but several important shifts have become increasingly evident.
Perhaps the most significant is the sharp decline in international humanitarian funding. Foreign contributions that once sustained large-scale disaster responses have reduced considerably. The tightening of the FCRA framework, along with a changing regulatory environment, has undoubtedly contributed to this transition.
At the same time, India has witnessed a remarkable rise in domestic philanthropy. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), philanthropic foundations, family trusts and individual donors are increasingly recognising disasters as an important area of social investment. Many CSR programmes that once focused primarily on education, health and livelihoods now also support disaster preparedness, emergency relief and community resilience. This growing commitment is a welcome development, reflecting a broader understanding that humanitarian action is an essential component of sustainable development.
Another notable change is the evolving nature of humanitarian leadership. In the past, disaster response was largely led by experienced humanitarian organisations with trained personnel, established systems and long-standing relationships with vulnerable communities. Their work extended far beyond immediate relief to rehabilitation, livelihood restoration and community resilience.
Today, alongside these organisations, individuals, social media campaigns and celebrity-led fundraising initiatives are playing an increasingly prominent role.
Digital platforms have transformed humanitarian giving. Appeals can mobilise resources within hours, while public personalities often succeed in drawing national attention to crises that might otherwise remain unnoticed. This visibility has undeniable value and has broadened public participation in humanitarian causes.
Yet visibility alone is not enough.
Humanitarian response demands far more than the distribution of relief materials. It requires careful assessment, coordination, logistics, accountability, protection of vulnerable groups, financial transparency and sustained engagement over months, and often years. These capacities are not built overnight. They evolve through institutions that invest in professional systems, trained personnel and enduring relationships with communities.
CSR and philanthropic foundations have significantly strengthened the resource base for humanitarian action. Encouragingly, many are also developing a deeper understanding of the complexities of disaster management. Increasingly, they are looking beyond one-time relief towards preparedness, resilience and long-term recovery by partnering with credible civil society organisations. This evolution has the potential to strengthen India's humanitarian ecosystem in meaningful ways.
One of my former colleagues reminded me that several organisations continue to do remarkable work in Assam. Faith-based organisations, local voluntary groups, community networks and specialised humanitarian agencies remain deeply engaged. Their efforts may not always receive media attention, but they continue to serve with professionalism, commitment and compassion.
That is reassuring.
Another encouraging development is the emergence of thousands of young volunteers. Across India, citizens are increasingly stepping forward during disasters to contribute their time, skills and resources. This expanding culture of volunteerism deserves appreciation. It reflects compassion, solidarity and a growing sense of civic responsibility.
The challenge is to channel this energy through institutional systems. Volunteers are far more effective when they work within organised frameworks that ensure coordination, accountability and the safety of both responders and affected communities.
India remains one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. Climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, while rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation and fragile ecosystems are adding new layers of vulnerability.
This reality demands strong humanitarian institutions at both national and local levels.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs), district administrations and other government agencies have significantly strengthened their professional capacities over the years. Their contribution to disaster response is both visible and commendable.
Yet government systems alone cannot meet every humanitarian need.
Civil society organisations remain indispensable because they bring community trust, local knowledge, operational flexibility and long-term engagement that complement official response mechanisms.
Perhaps what we are witnessing is not a story of decline, but one of transition.
International aid is gradually giving way to domestic philanthropy. Institutional leadership is being complemented by citizen action. Technology and social media have democratised compassion.
But compassion must always be matched by competence.
The future of humanitarian action in India will depend on our ability to combine the strengths of government institutions, civil society organisations, CSR initiatives, philanthropic foundations, volunteers and responsible public voices. None can replace the others. Together, they can create a resilient humanitarian ecosystem capable of responding to increasingly complex disasters.
As darkness settled over Jaipur, my thoughts remained with the people of Assam.
Beyond the floodwaters lies a larger question: can India build a humanitarian ecosystem that is compassionate, professional, locally rooted and resilient enough to meet the challenges of a changing climate and a changing society?
I believe the answer lies not in choosing between institutions and individuals, or between international and domestic philanthropy, but in forging partnerships that draw on the strengths of each. Ultimately, that will determine not only the quality of our disaster response but also the future of humanitarian action in India.
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*Former Head of Programme, CASA, Former Chairperson, VANI, Former Chairperson, Credibility Alliance
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