Beyond Relief: Empirical Evidence of NGOs’ Transition into Disaster Governance in India

Abstract

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in India have historically been perceived as auxiliary relief providers during disasters. However, emerging empirical evidence demonstrates a paradigm shift: NGOs are evolving into formal governance actors across preparedness, coordination, policy, and resilience financing. Drawing on government reports, peer-reviewed publications, and real- world examples between 2013 and 2024, this paper argues that NGOs are increasingly embedded within disaster governance frameworks. Case studies from Assam (2022–23), Orissa (2022), Ratu River Bihar (2023) demonstrate their expanded roles in early warning systems, co-governance, policy advocacy, and financial mobilization. This study contributes a novel insight to disaster management literature: NGOs are no longer peripheral humanitarian agents but co-governors of resilience in India. Policy implications are discussed, with recommendations for institutional reforms, local funding mechanisms, and standardized governance frameworks to scale NGO participation without undermining autonomy or community trust.