Analyzing the Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the Rehabilitation and Sustainability of Earthquake-Stricken Areas in Kermanshah Province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

2 Department of Agriculture Extension and Education, Agricultural College, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

3 Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract

Earthquake is a kind of natural crises that has caused a lot of damage to the affected communities in different dimensions throughout history. In this regard, NGOs, along with governmental organizations, can play an effective role in minimizing these harms and achieving maximum recovery and sustainability of these communities, if are planned properly. The main purpose of this research is to analyze of the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the rehabilitation and sustainability of earthquake-stricken areas in Kermanshah province. This research has applied a qualitative approach and directional content analysis method. The study population of this research is the NGOs active in the earthquake affected areas of Kermanshah province. The purposive sampling (a kind of snowball) has been used to select interviewees. Sampling continued to reach the theoretical saturation. In this study, theoretical saturation is obtained by reviewing 23 samples from the study population. Data collection is carried out through interviewing, observing and taking field observations, examining documents and often a combination of these methods. The findings reveal that the major activities of the NGOs in the areas of the earthquake include Needs Assessment and Information, Collecting and Distributing Goods, Providing Medical Services, Providing Psychological Advice, Providing Services to Children, Providing Services to Women, Providing Residential Services, Providing Health Services, Providing Environmental Services, Providing Social Services and Providing continuing education services. The results indicate that NGOs have played a significant role in rehabilitation and sustainability of earthquake-stricken areas, and with the right planning and policy, the maximum participation of active NGOs can be used as powerful arms in the reconstruction and sustainability of affected areas in future crises. Finally, some suggestions are provided based on the findings.
 
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
Human collective life has always faced two general predictable problems, "natural" and "human". In the emergence of natural issues, unlike human issues, people are not very involved, and these events occur from time to time and cause heartbreaking catastrophes. These catastrophes create a critical situation in which the usual methods do not work. In this regard, a significant number of well-equipped NGOs have been formed to deal with the effects of such natural disasters. These organizations, working independently or in collaboration with each other, have made significant contributions to the reconstruction effort and, together with government agencies, are an integral part of relief efforts. Our country is facing many natural and unnatural disasters. In the meantime, the earthquake should not be neglected; because in our country, due to the good earthquake, almost every once in a while, a terrible earthquake kills people and causes a lot of damage. Various organizations and groups are involved in reducing damages and casualties and organizing the affected people and rebuilding the affected areas in order to prevent these accidents and disasters after the occurrence. An earthquake occurred in 11 km of Azgeleh section, 32 km of Sarpole- Zahab city in the west of the center of Kermanshah Province, which left more than 500 deads and 12,000 injured. From this perspective, research on the role of NGOs in post-earthquake reconstruction will be essential, because the role of non-governmental organizations is very important. However, few research has been done on the role of non-governmental organizations in post-disaster reconstruction; Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to analyze of the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the rehabilitation and sustainability of earthquake-stricken areas of Kermanshah province.
 
2-Materials and Methods
 The paradigm of the present study ia qualitative and directional content analysis method has been applied. The study population of this research include the NGOs active in the earthquake affected areas of Kermanshah province. The purposive sampling (a kind of snowball) has been used to select interviewees. Sampling continued to reach the theoretical saturation. In this study, theoretical saturation is obtained by reviewing 23 samples from the study population. Data collection is carried out through interviewing, observing and taking field observations, examining documents and often a combination of these methods.
 
3- Results and Discussion
The findings showed that the major activities of the NGOs in the areas of the earthquake inclouded Needs Assessment and Information, Collecting and Distributing Goods, Providing Medical Services, Providing Psychological Advice, Providing Services to Children, Providing Services to Women, Providing Residential Services, Providing Health Services, Providing Environmental Services, Providing Social Services and Providing continuing education services. As the results of the research showed, non-governmental organizations played a key role in rehabilitating and stabilizing the earthquake-stricken areas of Kermanshah province. Their roles are very useful and important from the first stage, ie needs assessment to the issues related to the education of adolescents and young people in these areas. Because non-governmental organizations come from the hearts of the people, in cases where society is facing a serious crisis such as an earthquake, they can show capacities that the government may not be able to demonstrate; Of course, this does not mean that the government is inactive in these cases, but non-governmental organizations can play an effective role alongside the government.
 
4- Conclusion
 The results reveal that NGOs have played a significant role in rehabilitation and sustainability of earthquake-stricken areas. If they are properly planned, the maximum participation of active NGOs can be used as powerful arms in the reconstruction and sustainability of other future natural disasters. In general, it is easy to see to what extent NGOs can play a large and important role in all stages of reducing the damage caused by earthquakes, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. They can also play an important role in the field of mental and psychological needs; because earthquake is a problem that affects all aspects of a society, and its psychological damage is, of course, more than the material damage that can affect the people affected by earthquakes for a long time. Finally, based on the results, it is recommended that, given the role of NGOs in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas, their capacity to engage in social participation and provide an appropriate response to crises in a timely manner should always be kept active. Therefore, in addition to the number, the distribution of these organizations is of special importance and conditions should be created for these organizations in all parts of the country, especially at the local level (urban and rural) and deprived areas with the aim of empowering indigenous people and endogenous development to be activated.

Keywords

References

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