A coordinated and coordinated response is required to avert large-scale humanitarian disasters in India. Philanthropy is known by many different names. This is not a novel concept in indian society. In fact, no culture or religion has failed to emphasise the need for people to contribute to those in need.

However, it is never enough to simply set aside a portion of one's earnings for a good cause. Philanthropy is only effective when the benefactor directs resources to the appropriate cause and effective means. This is especially true during times of crisis when everything about philanthropy – priorities, pace, and data-size of contributions – can shift. A crisis situation, on the other hand, adds a sense of urgency because it involves both immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation.

India and crisis

The global devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is still being felt. Occasionally, regions of the world may experience temporary respite in the interval between two successive waves of infection. However, the pandemic is far from over. Nonetheless, when the United Nations chose the theme for Humanitarian Day 2021 with foresight, it chose climate change, a multidata-faceted and multidata-faceted crisis confronting humanity.

The need for indian philanthropists to respond is critical, as our country is one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters due to our unique socioeconomic and geo-climatic conditions. We had our first pre-monsoon cyclone in over a century with the Amphan cyclone in 2020, a year that saw about 5 cyclonic storms. During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021, india was hit by two cyclones: Tauktae and Yaas.

In the last few decades, india has made great strides and experienced widespread economic growth. Its trillion-dollar economy is the world's sixth-largest in terms of nominal GDP. Millions of its citizens live in poverty. It is home to both the world's richest and poorest people. The contrast is stark. Philanthropic funds and resources must be invested to break the vicious cycle of poverty, not only for improving living conditions, but also for investing in children and youth, their education and skilling, and making them employable in order to bring about long-term and sustainable change.

More vulnerable

It is critical to recognise that children and women from vulnerable families bear the brunt of any crisis, particularly natural disasters. With over 40% of its population under the age of 18, india ranks among the countries with the highest number of affected children.

Rebuild

In this context, philanthropic initiatives during times of crisis should prioritise the rescue of children. During the relief phase, priority should be given to the distribution of food and hygiene kits to vulnerable families and their children.

If philanthropists commit to funding initiatives for the protection and rehabilitation of vulnerable children, it will go a long way toward ensuring that the children have a better chance of building a better future for the world. Everyone should live a philanthropic lifestyle. It is everyone's responsibility to create an equitable society.