Hyderabad – The United States,  through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is supporting recovery activities for vulnerable Cyclone Phailin-affected communities by providing $3.4 million to non-governmental organizations.

This U.S.-supported shelter recovery activities will reach more than 7,000 households, or 35,000 people.  Assistance will include providing transitional shelters, repairing of partially damaged homes, and supporting the initiative "cash-for-work," all of which will help strengthen community infrastructure recovery.  Affected families will also receive vouchers for building materials and financial support to pay for labor to repair homes.  This assistance is coordinated through and by Indian national, state, and local authorities, and it builds on immediate humanitarian assistance provided earlier by India, the United States, and other international partners.   

The cyclone damaged or destroyed many household gardens in targeted areas, reducing access to food for many affected families.  Approximately 8,450 households – 42,300 people— will receive assistance to strengthen livelihoods and food security through the distribution of seeds, training on improved gardening practices, and restoration of gardening activities.  Activities will also strengthen protection services, establish child-friendly spaces, and assist persons with disabilities.

USAID support will reach communities in the Ganjam district of Odisha, where the cyclone damaged nearly 50 percent of homes, as well as the Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. The cyclone made landfall in India’s Odisha State in October 2013 and was the second-strongest storm to ever make landfall in India.  It affected an estimated 13 million people and caused significant damage to houses and agricultural land.