Paper details
| Paper authors | Shuvo Roy, Atiqur Rahman, Chand Mia |
| In panel on | Towards Plural Humanitarianisms: Decolonising Theory through Global-South Perspectives |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
In-Person / |
Abstract
As global development evaluation increasingly emphasizes equity and inclusion, there is growing momentum to embed culturally responsive, community-led learning into monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems. Yet in many Global South countries, national evaluation systems still struggle to meaningfully integrate local knowledge and participation. In Bangladesh, despite strong traditions of civic engagement, most evaluations remain top-down and accountability-driven. A 2020 BDMEnet study found that only 22% of NGO-led evaluations involved communities in tool design or data interpretation.
This paper shares insights from the Cyclone Forecast-Based Early Actions (CFBA) project in Dakkhin Bedkashi Union, implemented by Christian Aid Bangladesh and Nowabenki Gonomukhi Foundation with support from Act for Peace. In anticipation of Cyclone Remal, the project empowered communities to lead preparedness through Group Cash Transfers (GCTs) and the Survivor and Community-Led Response (SCLR) approach.
Communities identified and implemented their own priorities—such as reinforcing embankments and improving road access to shelters. Over 961 vulnerable households received early, unconditional cash support. Evaluation, based on participatory rural appraisal (PRA), focus group discussions, and a survey with 275 participants, centered community voices across the entire process.
Nearly 96% of participants reported that early support was more effective than post-disaster aid. GCT-funded actions strengthened local infrastructure and built leadership capacity, with strong participation from women, elderly persons, and people with disabilities.
By shifting evaluators’ roles from experts to facilitators and embedding local narratives into every phase, this case offers a grounded example of decolonized MEAL practice—one that values resilience built from within.
