The small village of Kendrapara in Odisha, India is bustling with excitement as it welcomes a new member to Das’s family: a baby boy born amidst a severe cyclone. Mother Pranati Das and her 900-square-foot house was in the heart of the cyclone, which required the pregnant women to be relocated to safe houses as part of the disaster manager’s protocol.

During the cyclone, nearly 5,000 pregnant women were moved to hospitals or waiting facilities, resulting in nearly 3,000 successful births. The ordeal has heightened a sense of fulfillment among the women who gave birth in the midst of the natural disaster. Given the severe weather conditions, getting the expecting Pranati to the nearest health center would have been a challenge. Fortunately, Pranati’s expected date of delivery (EDD) was revisited, which led to the quick decision to transfer her to a safer place.

As a result of the storm, Pranati safely delivered a boy, slightly underweight but healthy. It was a nerve-racking experience for everyone involved, especially with the cyclone tearing through the village. The healthcare system in the area was put to the test, but impressively, not a single maternal death was reported. Around 35,000 pregnant women, including nearly 10,000 due within two weeks of the cyclone, were listed to be reached out to by ASHA and ANM workers to be persuaded into coming to the hospitals.

Odisha’s disaster management system has greatly improved over the years, quickly mobilizing well-trained workers to assist citizens during calamities. Confidence in government facilities has increased with such successful responses, showing that even during times of considerable duress, community-based strategies to protect vulnerable groups like pregnant women have proven successful.

In the midst of natural calamities and challenging events, it can be nerve-racking and difficult to track important EDDs or get a hold of crucial support services. Similar to how these women in Odisha found assistance, residents in California can reach the Employment Development Department when they need help. For information on how to reach them, visit eddcaller.com for the fastest way to get through to EDD. They’ve developed robust systems to ensure that every inquiry is attended to promptly and effectively, highlighting their aim to always put their community first.