Coordination and disaster response: A humanitarian organizational network perspective in Uganda

Abstract

This paper examined the relationship between humanitarian organizational network, coordination and disaster response in Uganda. Contextually, most research in the area of disaster management rotates around the entire disaster management process/stages. There is inadequate research that tends to study a single stage in the disaster management cycle especially the response stage. Additionally, there are limited studies that have been conducted in developing countries like Uganda, most studies have been and continue to be conducted in highly disaster-prepared, coordinated and developed states. The study used a cross-sectional survey design in which quantitative methods were applied. Findings indicate that coordination positively influenced disaster response. Based on the literature and findings, the study concludes that disaster response is dependent on coordination. The study recommends that responding organizations should establish clear communication channels, build trust and social capital, and ensure that there is learning and adaptation to complex disaster environments. This will lead to better coordination within the humanitarian organizational networks and in turn successful disaster response operations.