How do links between households and NGOs promote disaster resilience and recovery?: A case study of linking social networks on the Bangladeshi coast

Type Journal Article - Natural Hazards
Title How do links between households and NGOs promote disaster resilience and recovery?: A case study of linking social networks on the Bangladeshi coast
Author(s)
Volume 78
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Page numbers 1707-1727
URL http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11069-015-1797-4
Abstract
Households’ links with NGOs are an important support for disaster resilience
and recovery in Bangladesh. Previous studies have examined how social capital promotes
disaster recovery. However, few explore the complexities of linking social networks and,
in particular, the role of NGOs, after disasters. Through a case study of Cyclone Sidr—
2007 affected two coastal villages of Bangladesh, using household surveys, focus groups,
and key informant interviews, this study examines when these linking networks perform
well and poorly. NGOs provide strong support through immediate relief (food, water,
medicine, household utensils), shelter (building materials, new houses), and livelihood
assistance (microcredit, cropping seeds, livestock, fishing boats, and nets). However, this
catalyzes relief dependency also, NGOs generally favour households they lend to, sometimes
demand normal repayments continue even though a disaster has occurred, and often
take bribes when they are distributing livelihood assistance to households. We suspect
many Bangladeshi NGOs focus on relief activities rather than preparedness, because postdisaster
relief provides significant opportunities for financial irregularities, as the cash
flows (donor support) are relatively large. Instead, NGOs should increase their emphasis on
disaster risk reduction, providing more robust housing and fostering alternative livelihood
options rather relief centric activities, because households’ have a strong preference for
empowerment and resilience, rather than relief dependency.

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