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Challenges to mobilising resources for disaster recovery and reconstruction: perspectives of the Haitian diaspora
Author(s) -
Sewordor Emefa,
Esnard AnnMargaret,
Sapat Alka,
Schwartz Lorena
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
disasters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1467-7717
pISSN - 0361-3666
DOI - 10.1111/disa.12318
Subject(s) - diaspora , context (archaeology) , coping (psychology) , qualitative research , political science , resource (disambiguation) , public relations , sociology , economic growth , business , gender studies , economics , social science , medicine , geography , computer network , archaeology , psychiatry , computer science
Diasporas and diaspora non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) are increasingly important as resource lifelines to their home countries, yet the resources that they mobilise, the types of challenges that they face, and their coping mechanisms are not well explored or understood in the context of disaster recovery. To fill this knowledge gap, this study employed an inductive qualitative methodological approach, using interviews to comprehend the role played by Haitian diaspora NGOs after the catastrophic earthquake in 2010. It found that resources take four common forms: event fundraisers; financial and material donations from supporters; remittances; and volunteer labour. Challenges include an overreliance on diaspora donors, competition among NGOs, and what is perceived as inequitable funding practices towards diaspora NGOs. The findings provide insights centred on better coordination among diaspora NGOs, as well as between diaspora NGOs and other local and international NGOs and local governments and international institutions, to ensure more efficient delivery of services to survivors.