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SEEDS Marks 31 Years of Humanitarian Service with Extensive Emergency Response in 2024

news Feb 4, 2025

WhatsApp Image 2025-01-31 at 3.36.27 PM

New Delhi, January 31, 2025 – As SEEDS completes 31 years of dedicated humanitarian service, the organization reflects on its extensive disaster response efforts in 2024. From floods and landslides to cyclones and extreme heat, SEEDS has been actively helping during crises, providing support to thousands of people across many states.

Throughout 2024, SEEDS responded to 11 emergencies, including devastating floods in Assam, Wayanad, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha; cloudbursts in Uttarakhand; and landslides in Wayanad. Anticipatory actions, such as timely interventions during Cyclone Remal and measures to combat the extreme heatwave that gripped parts of the country, played a crucial role in ensuring communities were better prepared for these disasters.

The organization’s swift response included providing hygiene kits, shelter, food supplies, and access to clean water, alongside extensive outreach efforts to promote health and resilience in disaster-affected areas. With a community-first approach, SEEDS worked closely with local partners and authorities to ensure timely relief and long-term recovery measures.

SEEDS went beyond the distribution of hygiene kits and essential supplies by addressing critical issues such as child safety, well-being, and women’s protection. In Assam, displaced children, struggling with physical and emotional distress due to the floods, were supported through initiatives designed to provide safe spaces and reduce vulnerabilities. At the same time, SEEDS worked to mitigate the heightened health and safety risks faced by women and adolescent girls, ensuring menstrual hygiene needs were met and personal safety was prioritized.

Similarly, in Wayanad, SEEDS worked tirelessly to rebuild school facilities to bring normalcy back to the lives of children in communities affected by landslides. These efforts reinforced SEEDS’ commitment to sustainable recovery and resilience building.

Technology played a critical role in SEEDS‘ approach to disaster resilience, particularly through Akshvi, a digital platform designed for climate loss and damage assessment. This platform allows affected communities to report their losses in real-time. Supported by India Climate Collaborative and developed with Ashoka ASPIRE and the Centre for Exponential Change, Akshvi aggregates citizen-led self-assessments with observational data to generate actionable insights for government and non-government agencies. The platform also includes a tech-enabled compensation transfer feature through a digital wallet for faster, transparent, and needs-based assistance. In recognition of its impact, Akshvi won the D4GX 2024 India Empowerment Challenge, showing SEEDS’ commitment to using data and digital solutions for disaster response.

Reflecting on the year’s efforts, SEEDS co-founder, Dr. Manu Gupta, expressed gratitude to donors, volunteers, and community members who contributed to these interventions. “For over three decades, our mission has been to build resilience and offer support when it is needed most. The increasing frequency of disasters reminds us of the urgency to strengthen preparedness, and we remain committed to this cause,” he stated.

As SEEDS enters its 32nd year, the organization continues to focus on disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and sustainable rebuilding efforts, ensuring that vulnerable communities are equipped to face future challenges.