yojana | Page 47

Therefore, we see a paradigm shift in both poverty alleviation concepts and disaster management concepts. Natural disasters cause immense loss of life and damage to property wherever it occurs. Be it earthquake, cyclone, flood flash, drought, storm surge or Tsunami the hazard level is equal to all sections of humanity. However, the vulnerability or the extent of exposure for communities or sections of society differs. The poor and the marginalized sections of the society, by virtue of their poverty are much more affected by the vagaries of nature’s fury than the normal populace. There are various concerted efforts taken by the Government for eradicating / alleviating poverty. Every year, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Rural Development spends enormous amount of money for eradicating poverty. Year after year, the programmes continue and yet eradicating or alleviati