· Partnerships between government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can be important for disaster recovery and response efforts.

· Discuss why you agree or disagree that these partnerships are important.

· Do they improve recovery and response efforts or delay them? Explain.

NGOs can offer a vital source of support during disaster recovery, given that community organizations are frequently more familiar with the immediate needs of the population than federal or state authorities. FEMA has often coordinated with national NGOs such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army for their specialized knowledge in addressing specific issues which can arise during a disaster such as the need for blood donation or housing support. “Specialized or lesser-known NGOs can offer a variety of products, services, and functions that are in addition to — or outside of the scope of — other, more widely used organizations” (“NGOs,’ 2016, p.3). Even something apparently unexpected like providing support for victims with pets can be vital, ensuring that people will be willing to evacuate a disaster area promptly with the knowledge they will have a place for their pets.

But there can be problems with working with NGOs. Some NGOs may have problematic human rights stances, particularly faith-based organizations, such as the Salvation Army’s record in regards to gay rights. Women’s reproductive health policies may also become an issue with faith-based charities that will not offer healthcare that involves contraception. Also, smaller charities primarily staffed with volunteers may simply not have the capabilities to handle severe emergencies, and government agencies may find themselves having to care for the volunteers along with actual victims.

Still, the benefits of using NGOs outweigh the downsides. Quite often, they have already garnered a greater degree of community trust than do federal agencies. Ideally, if they are less bureaucratic, they may also be more responsive in an immediate way to community needs. They can also help residents of the area navigate the complex bureaucratic structures needed to secure federal aid. So long as there is close communication between NGOs and federal and state agencies, they are beneficial.

References

NGOs: Filling gaps in disaster planning, response, recovery. (2016). EDM Digest. Retrieved from: https://edmdigest.com/resources/ngos-filling-gaps-in-planning-response-recovery/