A Suggestion for Disaster Relief Governance - Comparing NVOAD in the US and KDSN in South Korea -

Abstract

Both the Korean Disaster Safety Network (KDSN) and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) in the US were established for effective civil governance on disaster relief, but produced quite different outcomes. This study aimed to overcome limitations of previous studies taking governance as given and suggest how to improve the Korea’s disaster relief governance. In an organizational perspective, a simple and parallel organizational structure of KDSN makes coordination difficult in disaster due to the different capability of each organization, and thus a systemic perspective would be needed for effective and synergistic decision-making structure. In an operational perspective, KDSN has focused on a one-time campaign outcome and was weak in information sharing and networking. In an institutional perspective, the KDSN’s official status should be strengthen to assume the role of governance and on-scene responsibility. A strategic approach is needed for effective coordination of the Korea’s disaster relief governance.