A Planning Model For Disaster Relief Agencies

Abstract

Rather than identify nongovernmental organizations (NGO) with traditional service delivery systems, NGOs should be viewed as a unique system with specific outcomes pertinent to resource distribution. Grounded theory was used to help design the research methodology and General Systems Theory (GST) served as the theoretical framework. Predisaster planning, training, and leadership results from the empirical research helped to identify perspectives of resource distribution. Open ended interview responses were analyzed using the open coding, content analysis, constant comparison methods which yielded management as the theme with coordination, communication, and preparation as sub-themes. While each outcome may be contingent upon each designated organization and individualized for each natural disaster, a model designed for NGOs can serve as a template for more efficient resource delivery to disaster victims.