Abstract:
There has been widespread optimism over the change that civil society and civil society organisations (CSOs) can bring about in disaster risk reduction (DRR). Nonetheless, little research has been devoted to understanding the role of civil society in DRR. This thesis has set out to examine the engagement of CSOs in DRR. A mixed methods approach was adopted with field studies conducted in Vietnam. By analysing different types of CSO engaging in DRR, their areas and levels of engagement and the key internal and external factors that influence CSO work in DRR, this research demonstrates that CSOs are important stakeholders in DRR especially in community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR). CSOs possess crucial qualities and potentials for CBDRR such as proximity to communities, good understanding of local capacities and vulnerabilities and their capacity to represent and mobilise vulnerable or marginalised groups in the society. However they are not yet the ‘magic bullet’. They are struggling with many challenges including the lack of technical expertise, human and budget constraints and the risk of legitimacy deterioration. They are also susceptible to influences from International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), donors and governments. Recommendations to maximise CSO contributions in DRR should take into account their own efforts to organise themselves better but also efforts of INGOs, donors and governments in DRR projects, programmes, policies and strategies that engage CSOs. The thesis findings also suggest significant gaps in current DRR practice which are poor mainstreaming of DRR in development interventions and the lack of strategic investment in DRR CSOs.
