Humanitarian Action

Given our location in an ecologically fragile region, humanitarian interventions are a regular and critical aspect of ARPAN’s work. The Western Himalayas are prone to natural disasters such as landslides, earthquakes, flash floods, and forest fires. Some of our most significant relief efforts include the 2014 Uttarakhand floods and the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022.

Our humanitarian work focuses on the most vulnerable populations, including indigenous tribal groups, Dalits, and single women. Due to social stratification, these marginalised communities often reside in disaster-prone areas, on the outskirts of villages, near riverbanks, or in remote forest regions.

During humanitarian crises, we aim to:

• Identify the most vulnerable and multiple marginalized communities impacted by disasters
• Mobilise these communities to actively participate in relief and rehabilitation efforts
• Facilitate participatory planning to ensure that humanitarian activities are responsive to community needs
• Implement transparency and accountability measures, such as social audits, to ensure responsible and equitable use of resources