Dr. Matiur Rahman :
In Bangladesh, a country with a unique and highly effective approach to disaster management, social capital plays a critical role in community resilience and recovery.
Social capital, the networks of relationships, trust, and cooperation among individuals and groups, is an intangible yet powerful resource. It is particularly vital in disaster-prone regions like Bangladesh, where formal institutional support is often limited, and community solidarity becomes a cornerstone of survival and recovery.
Social capital manifests in various forms, including bonding, bridging, and linking. Bonding social capital refers to the close ties among family members, friends, and neighbours, which provide immediate support during crises. Bridging social capital involves connections between different social groups, which can extend the reach of support and resources.
Linking social capital connects communities to institutions, NGOs, and government agencies, facilitating access to broader resources and aid. In Bangladesh, these different forms of social capital work to enhance the resilience of communities facing natural disasters.
The close-knit social fabric of rural Bangladesh is a prime example of bonding social capital in action. In the aftermath of a disaster, neighbours and extended family members often come together to provide shelter, food, and emotional support to those affected. This immediate response is crucial, especially in remote areas where external aid may take time.
The shared experiences of past disasters, which have been instrumental in strengthening these bonds, foster a culture of mutual aid deeply ingrained in rural communities.
This strong sense of community, belonging, and shared responsibility is a powerful force that helps individuals cope with the immediate aftermath of disasters and facilitates rebuilding lives and livelihoods.
Bridging social capital is also essential in Bangladesh’s disaster management context. Communities often form alliances with other groups within and outside their immediate social circles to pool resources and share information.
These networks, including religious organisations, local clubs, and community-based organisations, are pivotal in coordinating disaster response efforts, demonstrating the effectiveness of collective action.
For example, during the frequent floods in Bangladesh, communities often share information about rising water levels, safe evacuation routes, and available shelters through these networks. This exchange of information and resources across different groups enhances the community’s overall resilience and ensures that help reaches those in need more efficiently.
Linking social capital, which connects communities to formal institutions, is particularly important in disaster-prone areas. In Bangladesh, the role of NGOs, government agencies, and international organisations in disaster management cannot be overstated. These entities often provide the necessary resources to aid disaster recovery, such as food, medical supplies, and technical expertise.
However, the effectiveness of these interventions largely depends on the strength of the linkages between communities and these institutions. Local leaders and community-based organisations often act as intermediaries, facilitating communication and collaboration between the community and external aid providers.
This linkage not only ensures that aid is distributed equitably but also empowers communities to participate actively in the decision-making processes related to disaster management.
The role of social capital in disaster management is further highlighted by the case of Cyclone Sidr, which struck Bangladesh in 2007. The cyclone caused widespread devastation, but the response of the affected communities demonstrated the power of social capital.
Local networks of trust and cooperation enabled communities to organise themselves quickly, with many people taking on leadership roles to coordinate evacuation efforts, distribute aid, and provide shelter.
The strong bonding and bridging of social capital within these communities facilitated a rapid and organised response, which significantly mitigated the impact of the disaster.
Additionally, linking social capital between communities and NGOs ensured that external aid was effectively channelled to where it was needed most, further highlighting the importance of these networks in disaster resilience.
However, social capital is not without its challenges in disaster management.
While solid community ties can provide immediate support, they can also lead to exclusion and inequality. In some cases, marginalised groups, such as women, older people, and ethnic minorities, may be left out of the decision-making processes and may not receive the same level of support as others.
This can undermine the community’s overall resilience and exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is essential to recognise social capital’s limitations and ensure that efforts to strengthen these networks are inclusive and equitable.
Moreover, Bangladesh’s changing social dynamics, driven by urbanisation, migration, and modernisation, pose new challenges to the role of social capital in disaster management. As people move to cities or migrate abroad for better opportunities, traditional community ties may weaken, leading to a decline in bonding social capital.
The lack of strong community networks can hinder disaster response efforts in urban areas, where people are often more socially isolated. Exploring new ways of building and sustaining social capital in rural and urban contexts is crucial to address these challenges. This may involve leveraging digital technologies, such as social media and mobile communication, to maintain and strengthen social networks, even in the face of geographical and social changes.
Social capital plays a vital role in helping communities in Bangladesh cope with natural disasters. The networks of trust, cooperation, and mutual aid that comprise social capital are critical for immediate response and long-term recovery. Bonding, bridging, and linking social capital contribute to disaster resilience, from providing immediate support to facilitating access to external resources.
However, it is also essential to recognise the challenges and limitations of social capital, particularly in terms of inclusivity and Bangladesh’s changing social landscape. As the country continues to face the threat of natural disasters, strengthening and adapting social capital will be vital to building more resilient and sustainable communities.
(The writer is a researcher and development worker).
