Households’ links with NGOs are an important support for disaster resilience
and recovery in Bangladesh. Previous studies have examined how social capital promotes
disaster recovery. However, few explore the complexities of linking social networks and,
in particular, the role of NGOs, after disasters. Through a case study of Cyclone Sidr—
2007 affected two coastal villages of Bangladesh, using household surveys, focus groups,
and key informant interviews, this study examines when these linking networks perform
well and poorly. NGOs provide strong support through immediate relief (food, water,
medicine, household utensils), shelter (building materials, new houses), and livelihood
assistance (microcredit, cropping seeds, livestock, fishing boats, and nets). However, this
catalyzes relief dependency also, NGOs generally favour households they lend to, sometimes
demand normal repayments continue even though a disaster has occurred, and often
take bribes when they are distributing livelihood assistance to households. We suspect
many Bangladeshi NGOs focus on relief activities rather than preparedness, because postdisaster
relief provides significant opportunities for financial irregularities, as the cash
flows (donor support) are relatively large. Instead, NGOs should increase their emphasis on
disaster risk reduction, providing more robust housing and fostering alternative livelihood
options rather relief centric activities, because households’ have a strong preference for
empowerment and resilience, rather than relief dependency.