Communities have been successfully managing disasters in the past. Yet, there are a few shortcomings that need to be addressed. The participation of the community as the first responder in disaster situation has to be more comprehensive, effective, swift and well planned based on training and capacity building. In Odisha, the multipurpose cyclone shelters and flood shelters and the multi stakeholder Management and Maintenance Committees formed for sustainable management of the shelters on a participatory model have emerged as a vital tool for community based disaster management. Realizing the need to compile and consolidate the guidelines for the shelter level Management and Maintenance Committees, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has developed this Hand Book incorporating the principles and procedures the shelter level committees may follow. This Hand Book will be periodically revised and updated to incorporate the latest policy approach and support system to further incentivize the management and maintenance model.