Disaster Risk Governance in Bangladesh: How Do NGOs Find Themselves in the Network?

Abstract

The roles and responsibilities of state-led organizations have remained the primary focus of disaster risk governance (DRG) literature. While integration of NGOs into formal disaster risk reduction (DRR) has been persistently promoted by the recent United Nations’ DRG frameworks to support state interventions, the low uptake of embracing core principles of DRR by NGOs is noted. Tension within network governance of DRG, including state and non-governmental actors, is also reported by several scholars, particularly in developing countries, but has not been investigated empirically with greater details. To contribute to this research agenda, the study aims to explore how NGOs perceive and value their contributions to DRG. Based on a structured questionnaire survey with development activists (DAs) from NGOs in the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh, the study found that reactive interventions (emergency response and post-disaster support) by them was perceived to be the most critical focus of DRG despite changing theoretical and global perspectives towards pre-disaster preparedness and mitigative measures. Vertical network governance was favoured within NGOs’ own networks outside the state’s direct supervision, identifying a critical role played by local NGOs. The capacity of leadership of NGOs was promoted by the respondents who worked in decision-making positions within their organizations, whilst professionals with lack of experience within the NGO sector tended to favour state actors. The findings could be critical in understanding local capacities and in co-creating hazard specific plans using various stakeholders.