The document explores how links between households and NGOs in Bangladesh enhance disaster resilience and recovery, particularly after cyclones. It highlights the limited capacity of household networks and the significant role of NGOs in providing essential support during and after disasters, noting both successful and poor outcomes of NGO interventions. The study emphasizes the need for community involvement, capacity building, and integrated approaches in disaster risk reduction and recovery initiatives.

1. How do links between households and NGOs promote
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
disaster resilience and recovery?
A case study of linking social networks on the Bangladeshi coast
Rabiul Islam, Greg Walkerden
Macquarie University, Australia

2. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Bangladesh

3. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Study context
Immediately after a disaster, affected households depend on:
Bonding networks (relationships with immediate family members, relatives)
and
Bridging networks (relationships with neighbours and friends) to cope with
crises.
The capacity of household to household network is limited by their physical,
and financial capital.
For longer term recovery, disaster victims usually need support through
linking social networks e.g. from Local government, NGOs, and Community-
Based Organizations.
Households’ links with NGOs are an important support for disaster resilience
and recovery.

4. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Study aims & questions
The main objective of this study is to explore how the links between
households and NGOs promote disaster resilience and recovery.
• When do NGOs perform strongly and poorly in disaster resilience and
recovery?
• What are the opportunities for strengthening NGOs’ capacity to contribute
effectively to disaster resilience and recovery?

5. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Methods
Study approach
Mixed methods
Study area
South Charduani &
Tafalbaria villages
Study population
All residents of two
study villages
Data collection tools & sample size
Interview questionnaires, Case studies, Focus groups,
Observation, Workshop, & Meetings
Household-heads survey-156, Case studies-4
Key Informants Interviews—study area-37, Disaster
Practitioner Interviews-14, Policy Makers Interviews-5
Focus Group Discussions-8, Meeting with local journalists-12
NGO Workshop-26, Meeting with local govt. officials-9
Sampling
Area: Purposively
Households: Randomly
Study participants
Household heads, key
informants at local &
national levels Data analysis approaches
Statistical analysis
Content analysis

6. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Study area
Study
villages
Barguna
District
Charduani
Union
Why this area?
• Highly prone to cyclones.
• Successive 6 cyclones hit
there in the last 7 years
 Sidr- November 15, 2007;
 Reshmi- October 27, 2008;
 Nisha- November 28, 2008;
 Bijli-April 17, 2009;
 Aila- May 25, 2009; and
 Mahasen-May 16, 2013.
Sidr and Aila affected the area
severely.
Local lessons would useful for
further disaster management
policies.

7. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Cyclone Sidr 2007
Sidr’s impact—
Human deaths 3406.
Injured 55,000
Affected population 9 million
Missing 1000 (GOB, 2008).
In the study villages—
Sidr caused 344 human deaths
that was 4% of total population
90% houses were fully damaged (Multi Task, 2008)

8. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
When do NGOs work well?
Short-term context
• Emergency relief—foods, medicine, makeshift shelter (100% households
received)
• Water and sanitation (94%)
• Household utensils—including cooking items (83%)
• Building materials for partially damaged houses (96%)
• Essentials for children (52% - baby foods, cloths, bucket, books, etc.)
• Hygiene kits e.g. water purification tablets, bleaching powder for
sanitizing & protecting outbreaks (FGDs, KIIs 2013).
Long-term context
• New houses replacing for fully destroyed homes (21%)
• Livelihood assistance: fishing boats & nets (87%), seeds for farming (41%),
and poultry & livestock (27%)
• Micro credit (89%)

9. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
When do NGOs work poorly?
Relief related
• Unable to provide support immediately after disaster (87% household claimed).
• Generally favour their own borrowers (micro-credit groups—the households they
lend to) (82% household reported).
• Uneven distribution of relief goods (which foster conflict, mistrust) (FGDs, KIIs, 2013).
• Bribes during distribution of livestock, nets and boats (31% household claimed)
(FGDs, KIIs, 2013).
Microcredit related
• Continue to charge interest during disaster (84%).
• Interest rate is higher than other financial institutions (FGDs, KIIs, 2013).
• Demanding regular instalment during disaster (56%).

10. Study findings and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA)
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Findings are linked to HFA priorities
• Strengthen DRR activities through participation of local stakeholders (P-1).
• Building resilience through local knowledge, initiatives, & partnerships (GOs, NGOs, & INGOs) (P-3).
• Identify & reduce the underlying risk factors through local level consultation (P- 4, & partly 2)
• Promote integrated, & participatory approach to DRR and RRR (relief, rehabilitation, & recovery)
activities (P-5).
Gaps—need to address in the Post-HFA (2015) activities:
Research
• Research findings should effectively be shared among the key stakes.
Education & Training
• More focus need on DRR education & training rather than relief-centric activities.
Implementation & Practice
• Develop strong community-based occupation groups to advocacy local needs.
• Build community ownership.
• Ensure community participation in distribution of recovery support to minimize mistrust, conflict, &
corruption.
• Improve transparency of local organizations.
• Develop a more integrated approach to implementing DRR activities.
Policy
• DRR & CCA should be included in all development policies & activities.
• Social capital should be addressed in the national & local level policies.

11. Key messages
1. Consider community initiatives 2. Strengthen local capacities
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
3. Ensure livelihood security 4. Reduce vulnerability
5. Reduce relief dependency 6. Raise voice at local & global level