Rapid Assessment for Resilient Recovery and ... - GFDRR

Political Economy of Aid Distribution
While the overall coverage of aid was found to be good, participants in the SIA did highlight
gaps in the provision of assistance in areas where the distribution of relief has been
subjected to some degree of political instrumentalization. In some areas, the research
team found that the local election process where local groups and leaders compete for
positions and resources has had a direct impact on aid distribution. Communities in areas
considered to be aligned with leaders who recently lost local elections reported limited or
delayed support, with resources for relief channeled through local elected governments.
Leaders and politically affiliated groups in these areas strive to find resources to ensure
primarily the well being of their supporters. In these cases, local government leaders are
found to rely on personal relationships and political networks to help mobilize resources
and distribute support. In this context, aid distribution could potentially sharpen the already
intense tensions observed at the local level. In addition, gaps were also observed in areas
where local governments have limited resources and capacities in terms of expertise in
disaster response and of available equipment to distribute relief. With provincial elections
expected in the next two months, communities have also reported additional resources
being channeled to the areas and additional activities being implemented. They further
indicated that this additional support provided by electoral candidates would, however,
have had to stop as it could be seen as influencing voters’ decisions.
Different dynamics were also observed in aid distribution in rural and urban areas. As
outlined in section 4.1 above, urban areas were found to have a more fragile social fabric
with limited community-based organizations that could be mobilized to aid distribution. In
addition, interaction between communities and local government was found to be limited.
The pattern of aid distribution usually followed the channels of political relations at local
level with community heads with links to the mayor being in a stronger position to access
resources in all urban areas visited. In rural areas, greater social capital and cohesion
seems to have led to comparatively better or generally more equitable outcomes in terms
of aid distribution. In all rural areas visited, the responsibility for aid distribution has shifted
to formal leaders such as sub-district head or village head through in coordination with the
TAO. Where sub-district or community leaders were able to communicate with a broad
range of informal and formal leaders/groups, the structure of aid distribution was clear and
the relief assistance seems to have taken place in a timely manner. Participants in the
SIA reported less mistrust regarding the aid distribution process in rural areas of Nakhon
Sawan.
In regards to the role of the media and civil society, the team noted that private sector and
civil society organizations played an important role in filling in gaps in aid distribution when
government agencies and local governments do not have sufficient reach or where local
politics have skewed the distribution of aid toward certain communities. In many instances,
civil society organizations are able to mobilize local support networks for additional aid
distribution. In addition, participants in the SIA have stressed the critical monitoring role
played by the media. People received information on the flooding situation through
various channels such as TV, radio programs, newspapers, internet and other social
media. Media has also guided people’s perceptions of the flooding situation and
emergency response. In particular, media coverage has focused on emerging conflict/
tension linked to the management of flood water levels. Participants in the SIA indicated
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