Households’ experience of local government during recovery from cyclones in coastal Bangladesh: resilience, equity, and corruption

Rabiul Islam (), Greg Walkerden and Marco Amati
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Rabiul Islam: University of Rajshahi
Greg Walkerden: Macquarie University
Marco Amati: RMIT University

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2017, vol. 85, issue 1, No 17, 378 pages

Abstract: Abstract Households’ links with local Government provide important support for disaster resilience and recovery on the Bangladeshi coast. Few previous studies of disaster resilience and recovery have explored how linking social networks—and in particular local government—contribute. Using household surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews, we examine strengths and weaknesses of local government’s contribution, using two cyclone-affected coastal villages as case studies. The findings show that local government provides important support, for example relief distribution, livelihood assistance, and reconstruction of major community services. However, patronage relationships (notably favouring political supporters) and bribery play a substantial role in how those responsibilities are discharged. The equity and efficiency of these contributions to recovery are markedly diminished by corruption. Reducing corruption in UP’s contributions to disaster recovery could significantly improve resilience; however, general reform of governance in Bangladesh would needed to bring this about.

Keywords: Social capital; Disaster resilience and recovery; Local government; Union Parishad; Cyclone Sidr; Bangladeshi coast; Corruption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-016-2568-6

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