After a devastating "Super Cylone" hit the Orissa coast on 29^th October 1999, an emergency session of the United Nations Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) was convened in New Delhi on 1^st November to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency relief operations. Focal points for interaction with the government at the State and Centre were identified and daily situation reports were prepared, which were then shared with the donor community and international and national NGOs.

On the same day, the UN Resident Coordinator wrote to the Chief Minister of Orissa expressing the full support of UN Agencies in India and offering to provide assistance to the State. The Orissa Chief Minister responded by requesting the UN to provide all possible assistance in restoring normalcy and mobilizing funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the affected areas.

Total UN special assistance to the victims of the cyclone in Orissa now amounts to US$ 14.8 million. This includes a contribution of US$ 10.9 million from UNICEF and also takes into account over US$ 3 million worth of medical and relief supplies distributed by UNICEF till the end of December 1999.

World Food Programme contribution stands at US$2.3 million worth of seeds and oil and UNFPA have contributed reproductive health kits, mobile medical units and technical and logistical assistance to the tune of US$ 694,000. UNESCO has made a cash contribution of US$ 50,000 and World Health Organisation (WHO) has put up $100,000 towards health requirements and technical assistance.

UNDP, which has been coordinating the efforts of all UN Agencies working in Orissa, had earlier earmarked US$ 100,000 for this purpose. Another $ 50,000 from the Geneva-based UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) and $ 50,000 from Norway US$ 64,500 from DFID are being channelled through UNDP for use in Orissa. Since then UNDP has allocated $420,000 through its ongoing programmes on Food Security and Small Grants Programme in the Water Sector for rehabilitation work in these sectors, and a further sum of $15,000 towards the supply of groundnut seeds for farmers in the affected areas.

The UN Specialized Agencies have also provided significant assistance in the form of technical advice and expertise, especially in the areas of health and agriculture. November/December saw several UN missions to Orissa – by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), WHO, UNESCO and the Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) - aimed at assessing impacts and long-term rehabilitation needs in agriculture, livelihood, health, and education.

The UN common premises in Bhuabaneswar – better known as UN House - was formally operationalized on 1^st December 1999. UNDP has recruited administrative and support staff and the Office is fully equipped with communications facilities, computers, vehicles and other office equipment. UNICEF, WFP and FAO have supplied much of the furniture, the telephone exchange, fax machine and some of the computers. The UNDP/United Nations Volunteers have recruited 12 National UN Volunteers whose job it is to assist the district authorities in monitoring and coordinating the flow of relief and rehabilitation resources from various partners. The UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) has recruited a consultant each for Technical Programme Coordination, Food Security and Shelter / Habitat rehabilitation Coordination.

Apart from regular coordination meetings, two policy workshops were held in the UN House, Bhubaneshwar in November and December, which brought together key NGOs, Government agencies, Donors, Bilateral Agencies and UN organisations to focus on rehabilitation activities. As a result, three sub-groups on Infrastructure, Livelihood and Habitat have been constituted with representation from the State Government, NGOs and Bilateral agencies working in Orissa. An important outcome of these meetings has been the establishment of the "Orissa Disaster Mitigation Authority" by the state Government, which will have representation from all key players, including the UN, and will be the central co-ordinating agency in orchestrating rehabilitation activities in the state. Thematic workshops on Food and Agriculture, Health, Education and Shelter / Habitat issues are planned to be held in March, April and May respectively. These rolling workshops would aim to address emerging issues at the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction phases.

The NGOs involved in Orissa have been participating in the daily coordination meetings being held at the UN House and are a valuable resource in providing vital inputs in the planning and formulation of rehabilitation strategies. Several activities such as mapping of information and resources available for rehabilitation are being undertaken jointly by all the stakeholders.

The World Bank has been participating in the UNDMT meetings with NGOs and bilateral agencies at New Delhi. The World Bank fielded a 20-member assessment mission to Orissa in early December and has expressed its interest to work with the UN System in Orissa.