Donor-driven resource procurement for post-disaster reconstruction: Constraints and actions

Post-disaster reconstruction suffers bottlenecks and challenges due to the inadequacies of resource procurement. In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, difficulties in acquiring resources compromised donors’ efforts in achieving a successful recovery. By drawing on in-field observations and surveys in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, this paper identifies the key factors that obstructed the process for NGOs to procure building materials and labour. The result demonstrates that donor-driven resource procurement was primarily impeded by (1) NGO-related factors including: NGOs competency of resource procurement and competition for resources among aid agencies; (2) external hurdles in NGOs implementing environment including: low local transportation and supply capacity, incompetence of contractor, and insufficient government support; and (3) community-related factors including: local housing culture and lack of community influence and participation. Continuous capacity building in NGOs, proactive resource assessment and planning, strengthening relationships with local community and institutions, together with a collaborative resourcing approach are likely to address resourcing constraints faced by NGOs when rebuilding communities following a disaster.