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Challenges Faced by Non-Governmental Organizations During Disaster Response
and Recovery
Shubhparteek Singh

Introduction

Discussion

Important participants in humanitarian relief, non-governmental
organizations function independently from government regulation,
providing quick and flexible help to impacted populations across the
globe. From preparation programs to recovery efforts after a disaster,
they have contributed to every stage of disaster management. Still,
NGOs face many obstacles that reduce their efficacy in carrying out
their vital task. To improve disaster management plans and guarantee
more effective reactions in the face of difficulty, it is essential to
comprehend these challenges. In order to address these issues and
strengthen NGOs' resilience in the humanitarian arena, the
complexities and obstacles that they encounter during disaster
response and recovery needs to be studied so as to find ways to
mitigate them thereby increasing their efficiency.

The major focus was on examining the challenges encountered by
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in disaster response and
recovery, as well as proposing potential solutions to address these
challenges. Key themes included resource allocation and mobilization,
coordination and collaboration, and political interference. Strategies
for mitigating these challenges were discussed, such as improving
funding mechanisms, enhancing inter-agency communication, and
advocating for policies that safeguard NGO independence. The
importance of stakeholder collaboration and proactive measures like
capacity building and information sharing was emphasized to
strengthen disaster preparedness and response efforts. Overall, the
critical role of NGOs in disaster management is discussed in detail and
the need for coordinated action to overcome the identified challenges
and improve disaster resilience is highlighted.

Background
The importance of NGOs in providing vital assistance and support
throughout the response and recovery stages of natural and manmade disasters has increased due to the rise in the frequency and
severity of these events on a global scale. However, NGOs encounter
many obstacles that obstruct their efficacy in the course of their vital
work, from financial constraints to problems with coordination and
collaboration. Improving the general resilience of disaster response
operations requires an understanding of and attention to these issues.
This research attempts to explore the complexities of the difficulties
NGOs encounter when responding to and recovering from disasters,
providing analysis and suggestions to lessen these difficulties and
enhance the results of disaster management.

Methods
The research employed a secondary research methodology, drawing
on peer-reviewed articles and academic publications related to the
topic of challenges faced by NGOs in disaster response and recovery.
A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify
relevant studies, which were then analyzed and synthesized to extract
key findings and insights. The selection criteria for articles included
relevance to the research topic, publication in reputable journals, and
recent publication dates to ensure the inclusion of current
perspectives. Through this methodical approach, a comprehensive
understanding of the challenges encountered by NGOs in disaster
management was obtained, providing a foundation for further
analysis and discussion.

Results/Findings

Conclusions or Recommendations
The key finding highlights how important it is to identify and reduce
the main challenges that NGOs face during disaster response and
recovery. Coordination and cooperation, resource mobilization, and
political involvement are some of the most common difficulties.
Increasing the funding sources accessible to NGOs, encouraging
improved coordination and communication among stakeholders, and
safeguarding NGOs' independence from political meddling are some
of the key strategies to address these problems. Proactive tactics
including capacity building, information sharing, and stakeholder
involvement should be also be emphasized as ways to enhance
disaster preparedness and response. All things considered, addressing
these problems and implementing the recommended strategies can
improve the effectiveness and efficiency of NGO operations during
disasters, which will eventually result in improved community
resilience and recovery.

References
“The role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Disaster
Management: A case study of
Bam earthquake, Iran” by S.Fallah & J. Hosseini Nejad, 2018, Journal
of Disaster & Emergency
Research, 1 (1), p.45

Figure 1
Title: Role of NGOs in the Disaster
Management Process

The results of the research revealed several significant challenges
faced by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in disaster response
and recovery efforts. Key findings included the limitations in resource
allocation and mobilization, difficulties in coordination and
collaboration among stakeholders, and instances of political
interference affecting NGO operations. Additionally, challenges
related to communication and information exchange emerged as
prominent obstacles hindering effective disaster management. These
findings underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of the
challenges confronting NGOs in their humanitarian endeavors,
highlighting the need for targeted interventions and strategies to
address these issues and enhance the resilience of disaster-affected
communities.

Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Disaster Management

Justice Institute of British Columbia

April 2024