Digital Technology for Resilience Workshop, Bangkok (Nov 27-28, 2018) #Tech4Resilience
As more people in the world are getting exposed to natural and human-induced hazards, the need to embed technology in risk management processes …
Navneet Yadav
Disaster risk management, climate adaptation and humanitarian response
I've spent more than 20 years helping communities and governments in India prepare for disasters, respond when they strike, and adapt to a changing climate.
Currently Team Lead at Palladium India, working on disaster risk management for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 in Nashik.
Two decades of disaster response
The major emergencies I've helped respond to, and the event I'm preparing for now.
- 2005Kashmir earthquakeDamage and needs assessment and relief with CEE Himalaya
- 2013Himalayan floods
- 2020COVID-19 pandemic
- 2023 and 2024Himachal Pradesh floods
- 2025North India floodsHimachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab
- 2027Simhastha Kumbh MelaDisaster preparedness with Palladium India
What I work on
Most of my work happens before a disaster: understanding risk, warning people early and preparing the institutions that respond.
Flood early warning
Designing and implementing community-based flood early warning systems (CBFEWS) in several Indian states.
Hazard and risk assessment
Hazard, vulnerability, capacity and risk assessments, from the state-wide Himachal Pradesh HRVA to a risk study of Shimla city.
Disaster management plans
Plans for states, districts, cities, development blocks, institutions and facilities, including the HPCA International Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala.
Nature-based solutions
Applying nature-based solutions to reduce flood and landslide risk, and climate-smart approaches to humanitarian action and shelter recovery.
Training and capacity building
Training officials, responders, teachers and communities, and teaching as visiting faculty at NIDM, NDRF and state institutes.
Needs assessment and learning
Coordinating joint rapid and post-disaster needs assessments (JRNA, PDNA), and monitoring, evaluation and learning for DRR and climate projects.
Credentials
- Commonwealth Scholar
- M.Sc. in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management, University of Leicester, UK (2020–2022).
- Netherlands Fellowship Programme
- Fellowship for a short course on climate change adaptation (2016).
- Visiting faculty
- NIDM, NDRF, HPSDMA, state training institutes and universities.
- International training
- Courses in Japan, Thailand, Nepal and Senegal.
Where I've worked
- Palladium India2026–present
- Caritas India2025–2026
- Doers2015–2025
- IORA Ecological Solutions2017–2018, 2023
- GIZ India2009–2011, 2020–2021
- UNDP India2011–2012, 2016–2017
- TARU Leading Edge2013–2015
- Mountain Forum Himalayas2009–2011
- American India Foundation2008–2009
- CASA2006–2008
- Center for Environment Education2005–2006
Working on disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation or humanitarian response? I'd be glad to hear from you.
About
More than 20 years in sustainable development, 18 of them focused on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and humanitarian response in India.
I manage multi-stakeholder projects, conduct hazard, vulnerability and risk assessments (HVRA), implement early warning systems, and plan and facilitate training and capacity building. I also develop disaster risk management plans, funding proposals, technical reports and learning resources on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and anticipatory humanitarian action.
Programs I've led recently include a community-based flood early warning system (CBFEWS), nature-based solutions for disaster risk reduction, and climate-smart humanitarian action in several states of India.
I've contributed significantly to major humanitarian responses, including the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, the 2013 Himalayan floods, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the 2023 and 2024 Himachal Pradesh floods, and the 2025 floods across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.
Current engagements
Team Lead
Palladium India2026–present
I lead a technical advisory team embedded with the Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA), on a 24-month engagement on disaster risk management for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027.
Strategic Advisor – Disaster Resilience & Climate Action
Doers (honorary)Since February 1, 2026
I advise the program management team on designing and implementing programs in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and humanitarian response, and support partnership development, networking, stakeholder engagement, action research and capacity building, including in public health.
Core competencies
- Program management in disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and humanitarian response
- Design and implementation of flood early warning system (FEWS) projects
- Nature-based solutions (NbS) for disaster risk reduction
- Hazard, vulnerability, capacity and risk assessments at every level
- Capacity building and training on cross-cutting issues in DRR, CCA and humanitarian action
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) and impact assessment for DRR and CCA projects
- Coordinating joint rapid needs assessments (JRNA) and post-disaster needs assessments (PDNA)
- Comprehensive School Safety Framework and child-centric disaster risk reduction
Digital and GIS skills
- Remote sensing and GIS with QGIS, Google Earth Pro and OpenStreetMap (OSM)
- Offline data collection with Open Data Kit (ODK) and KoBoToolbox
- Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Outlook
Experience
Two decades with NGOs, consulting firms, UN agencies and bilateral development programs, most of it in the Indian Himalaya.
- 2026–present
Team Lead
Palladium India
Leading a technical advisory team embedded with the Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA), on a 24-month engagement on disaster risk management for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027.
- 2026–presentSince Feb 1, 2026
Strategic Advisor – Disaster Resilience & Climate Action (honorary)
Doers
Advising the program management team on programs in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and humanitarian response, and supporting partnerships, networking, stakeholder engagement, action research and capacity building, including in public health.
- 2025–2026Mar 3, 2025 – Jan 14, 2026
Lead – Humanitarian Action & Disaster Risk Reduction
Caritas India
Led program management and institutional capacity development in humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction, and provided technical support to operations on DRR and emergency response across India.
Key responsibilities
- Program management, capacity building, partnership development, knowledge management and resource mobilization for disaster relief operations
- Implementation of a community-based flood early warning system (CBFEWS)
- Nature-based solutions for flood and landslide risk mitigation
- Anticipatory humanitarian action, and climate-smart, sustainable shelter recovery
- Supervised all DRR, climate resilience and humanitarian assistance projects in India, leading program teams at the head office and regional offices in Assam, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Kerala
- Built partnerships with international and national organizations working on DRR, CCA and humanitarian assistance
- 2015–2025Jun 1, 2015 – Feb 28, 2025
Program Director (2021–2025) and Associate Director (2015–2021)
Doers
Doers is a humanitarian organization working for resilience and sustainability in the Himalayan region of India. I directed its programs and projects in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and humanitarian response.
Key responsibilities
- Climate Literacy & Action Programme (CLAP)
- Safety Through Emergency Preparedness (STEP)
- Professional Development Program (PDP)
- Mental Health & Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) for DRR
- Led the development of disaster management plans for districts, cities, institutions and facilities, such as the HPCA International Cricket Stadium, Dharamshala
- 2023Feb 27 – May 31, 2023
Senior Manager – Climate Change and Disaster Resilience
IORA Ecological Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Explored funding opportunities and developed proposals on climate change and human health, and helped build partnerships with organizations and platforms working on nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation.
Key responsibilities
- Proposal for preparing State Action Plans on Climate Change and Human Health
- Proposal for research on climate risks to public health in Himachal Pradesh, submitted for Wellcome's Climate Impacts Awards
- 2020–2021Oct 15, 2020 – Aug 31, 2021
National Consultant (Himachal Pradesh)
GIZ India
Under the Indo-German project Climate Adaptation and Finance in Rural India (CAFRI), I supported the strategy for a state-level monitoring and evaluation system for the Himachal Pradesh State Action Plan on Climate Change (HPSAPCC).
Key responsibilities
- Mapped state-level SDG indicators against SAPCC activities
- Supported an approach paper on a state-level M&E system for climate change adaptation
- Coordinated with line departments of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, especially the Department of Environment, Science & Technology
- 2016–2017Jul 18, 2016 – Aug 7, 2017
Consultant (Resource Person)
UNDP India
Part-time consultant on the GoI–UNDP project Enhancing Institutional and Community Resilience to Disaster and Climate Change in Himachal Pradesh. I trained officials from district administrations, government departments and municipalities, local self-government representatives and community leaders on cross-cutting DRR issues.
- 2013–2015Feb 1, 2013 – May 31, 2015
Team Member (Consultant), Himachal Pradesh HRVA Project
TARU Leading Edge Pvt. Ltd.
Full-time member of the implementation team for the state-level Himachal Pradesh Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (HP-HRVA) project and a hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment of Shimla city. The assessments quantified disaster risk, its distribution and its causes, to guide risk reduction and mitigation through a GIS-based decision support system.
Key responsibilities
- Liaison and networking with government departments and research institutions
- Coordinating surveys for social, economic and physical vulnerability analysis
- Facilitating data collection and mapping
- Training stakeholders to use and integrate the HRVA into disaster management plans
- Engaging stakeholders and facilitating thematic consultations
- 2011–2012Jul 1, 2011 – Dec 31, 2012
Capacity Building & Training Associate, Himachal Pradesh
GoI–UNDP DRR Programme
Worked with the Disaster Management Cell, Revenue Department, at the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat in Shimla, contributing to institutional strengthening and capacity building for community-based disaster risk reduction.
Key responsibilities
- Supported the formulation of disaster management plans for the state and districts
- Facilitated DRR training sessions for different stakeholders
- Developed IEC material on disaster preparedness and response
- Maintained the database of resource persons, NGOs, master trainers and volunteers
- 2009–2011Dec 15, 2009 – Jun 30, 2011
Independent Consultant
Mountain Forum Himalayas and GIZ India
Consultant to Mountain Forum Himalayas (MFH), a platform of 12 NGOs working on sustainable mountain development in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. I developed MFH's program strategy on the convergence of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
For GIZ India, I developed a guidance book on the Social Accountability Mechanism in Rural Water Supply, in Hindi and English.
- 2008–2009Nov 5, 2008 – Nov 4, 2009
Consultant (Training & Coordination)
American India Foundation (AIF)
Coordinated a program building the capacity of educators in Mewat district, Haryana, to use ICTs for development, and trained educators and community facilitators in programs including Digital Equalizer and Adobe Youth Voices.
- 2006–2008May 15, 2006 – May 14, 2008
Assistant Program Coordinator
Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), Himachal Pradesh
CASA is a national relief and development organization working in India since 1947.
Key responsibilities
- Preparing the organizational strategy on disaster management and climate change
- Capacity building of NGOs and community volunteers on disaster management
- Networking with government agencies and NGOs in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
- Developing IEC material
- Planning and organizing capacity building events
- 2005–2006Feb 4, 2005 – Feb 3, 2006
Program Associate
Center for Environment Education (CEE) Himalaya
Worked on Rebuilding Trust, a comprehensive program for the rehabilitation of people affected by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
Key responsibilities
- Coordinated damage and needs assessments in earthquake-affected areas
- Ensured systematic delivery of relief materials, liaising with government agencies, NGOs and the Indian Army
- Facilitated inter-agency coordination for an effective response
- Built a team of local volunteers and trained teachers, local government officials and NGOs
Projects
Programs and plans I've led or helped deliver, and consultancy assignments I've completed for clients.
Programs and plans
2025–2026
Community-based Flood Early Warning System (CBFEWS)
2025–2026
Nature-based solutions for flood and landslide risk mitigation
2025–2026
Anticipatory humanitarian action and climate-smart shelter recovery
2015–2025
Climate Literacy & Action Programme (CLAP)
2015–2025
Safety Through Emergency Preparedness (STEP)
2015–2025
Mental Health & Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) for DRR
2015–2025
Professional Development Program (PDP)
2015–2025
Disaster management plans for districts, cities, institutions and facilities
Including the HPCA International Cricket Stadium, Dharamshala.
2020–2021
M&E strategy for the Himachal Pradesh State Action Plan on Climate Change
2013–2015
Himachal Pradesh Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (HP-HRVA) and Shimla city risk assessment
Quantified disaster risk to guide reduction and mitigation through a GIS-based decision support system.
2009–2011
Program strategy on the convergence of DRR and climate change adaptation
2009–2011
Guidance book on the Social Accountability Mechanism in Rural Water Supply
Published in Hindi and English.
2005–2006
Rebuilding Trust: rehabilitation after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake
Consultancy assignments
Apr 2025
Tarutium Global Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
Planned and coordinated training modules and sessions with post-training assessments, and delivered training in four districts of Himachal Pradesh under the World Bank-funded H.P. State Roads Transformation Project.
Jan–Feb 2025
Sankalp Development & Consultants
Technical assistance to JICA's external evaluators, collecting data through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and surveys for the ex-post evaluation of the JICA-funded H.P. Crop Diversification Promotion Project.
Feb–Jul 2019
CTRAN Consulting Limited
Training needs assessment (TNA) and training modules on climate change adaptation in agriculture, in Hindi and English, under a project funded by the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change and implemented by the Department of Environment, Science & Technology, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
Dec 2017 – May 2018
IORA Ecological Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Disaster preparedness and response plans at Panchayat Samiti (development block) level, and stronger response capacity in 15 Panchayat Samitis of Shimla, Kinnaur and Kangra districts.
Jun 2015 – Aug 2016
District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Shimla
Set up the District Emergency Operations Center: coordination with line departments, data collection and analysis, mapping of critical facilities, infrastructure and resources, and training officials before the center was commissioned.
Education
A master's in risk, crisis and disaster management from the University of Leicester, built on a background in agricultural sciences.
Degrees and diplomas
2020–2022
M.Sc. in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management
2015–2016
Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management (PGDDM)
1999–2003
Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences (4-year B.Sc. Ag.)
1997–1999
Senior Secondary in Agriculture
Scholarships
2020
Commonwealth Scholarship
To pursue the M.Sc. in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management at the University of Leicester.
2016
Netherlands Fellowship Programme
To attend a short course on climate change adaptation.
Fellowships, summer schools and masterclasses
Aug 2022
Leicester Masterclass 2022
Attended while studying for the M.Sc. in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management.
Sep–Oct 2020
IPROMO Summer School: Mountains in a Changing Climate – Threats, Challenges and Opportunities
Jul 2020
Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis
As a Fellow of the university's Disaster and Emergency Research Network (DERN) and Global South Academic Network (GSAN).
Training
Courses I've completed in disaster risk management, climate adaptation and humanitarian coordination, in India and abroad.
International courses
May 2023
Regional Training Workshop on Climate Adaptation Tools
Bangkok, Thailand, May 29–31, 2023
Mar 2023
Building a Better Response: Workshop on the International Humanitarian Coordination System
Bangkok, Thailand, March 7–9, 2023
Oct 2019
Counteracting Climate-related Migration: Mobilizing Funds for Local Climate Adaptation Measures
Somone, Senegal, October 14–25, 2019
May 2019
Adapting to Climate Change: Wise Water Management for Urban and Rural Resilience
Siddhartha Nagar, Nepal, May 6–17, 2019
Nov 2018
2nd Digital Technology for Resilience Workshop
Bangkok, Thailand, November 27–28, 2018
Sep 2016
11th International Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage
Kyoto, Japan, September 10–26, 2016
Mar–Apr 2016
3rd International Training Course on Managing Risk in the Face of Climate Change
Bangkok, Thailand, March 28 – April 8, 2016
Training and short courses in India
May–Jul 2024
Faculty Development Program on Remote Sensing & GIS Technology and Applications for Disaster and Climate Change Studies
May 13 – July 5, 2024
Feb 2024
Training Programme on Analysis, Interpretation and Dissemination of Data
February 14–16, 2024
Jul 2023
Climate Resilient Cities: An Integrated Planning and Designing Approach
July 18–21, 2023
Nov 2022
Urban Action School 2022 – Towards Climate Just Cities
November 21–27, 2022
Aug 2022
Training of Trainers on Participatory Climate Change Adaptation Planning and Execution
August 25–27, 2022
Mar 2019
Short-term Course on Extreme Events, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
March 11–15, 2019
Apr 2018
Management of Media during Emergencies
April 18–20, 2018
Mar 2017
Training on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR)
March 14–24, 2017
Apr 2015
Training on Emergency Operations Center Management
April 20–24, 2015
Feb 2015
Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training
February 22–24, 2015
Nov 2013
Training of Trainers for the Humanitarian Sector
November 25–28, 2013
Online courses
Jun 2023
Whole-of-society Approach to Creating Healthy, Resilient and Sustainable Cities (joint certificate training)
Jun 2021
Build Back Better: Harnessing South-South Cooperation and Risk Reduction Planning for Resilient and Healthy Cities in the Post COVID-19 Era
Sep–Oct 2020
Making Cities Resilient: Developing and Implementing Local Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy to Respond to COVID-19
Aug–Sep 2020
Advancing Government Innovation and Leveraging Frontier Technologies for DRR and Building Resilience
Online
Public Health Principles in Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response
Speaking and teaching
Sessions I've presented or moderated at conferences and workshops, and the institutions where I teach as visiting faculty.
Conference sessions
Jan 6, 2026
Strategic Role of Auxiliary Volunteers in Disaster Preparedness, Response & Recovery
Dec 19, 2025
Moderated Thematic Working Group IV: Enhancing Disaster Preparedness and Build Back Better
Sep 3, 2025
Reimagining Climate Action: Combating the Consequences of Climate Change
Dec 3–4, 2024
Humanitarian Response & Resilience: Experiences and Lessons from 2024 Disasters
Emphasizing Inclusive, Community-centric Disaster ResponseJul 16, 2024
Voices from the Field: Climate and Disaster Risks in the Himalayan Region
Nov 14–15, 2019
Vulnerability of Cultural Heritage Sites during Disasters
Apr 3–4, 2019
Use of ICTs in Disaster Preparedness & Response
Nov 1–2, 2018
ICT Tools for Disaster Risk Reduction
Oct 3–4, 2018
Climate Change Adaptation in the Himalayan Region
Visiting faculty and resource person
I teach disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, humanitarian action, the SDGs and related subjects at:
- National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), Shimla
- Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Response Force (HPSDRF)
- Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (MSHIPA), Fairlawn, Shimla
- Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), Chandigarh, Punjab
- Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Training Institute (PRTI), Mashobra, Shimla
- State Institute of Health & Family Welfare (SIHFW), Parimahal, Shimla
- District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and District Institutes of Education & Training (DIETs)
- UGC – Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centres (MMTTCs) of various universities, during faculty development programs
Contact
For consulting, training, speaking or collaboration on disaster risk reduction and climate action, write to me.
Write directly
ny@navneetyadav.inlinkedin.com/in/navneetyadavinI work in Hindi and English. References are available on request.