Paper details
| Paper authors | Rodrigo Mena |
| In panel on | Disaster Risk Reduction in Fragile, Conflict-Affected, and Vulnerable (FCV) Contexts: Strategies for Protracted Crises |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
In-Person / |
Abstract
In fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable (FCV) contexts, formal disaster risk reduction (DRR) systems are often weakened, absent, mistrusted, or subject to instrumentalization and attack. This presentation draws on Mark Granovetter’s concept of the "strength of weak ties" to rethink how (less and in)formal and loosely connected community-based and other DRR strategies contribute to disaster preparedness and response in such environments. Rather than viewing fragmented or informal networks as a liability, this perspective emphasizes their role as bridges across divided communities, institutional gaps, and disrupted governance systems.
Based on field observations, program experiences, and secondary literature from DRR initiatives in conflict-affected settings, this paper and its presentation explores how "weak ties" -casual relationships, (less and in)formal groups, and community-level actors- facilitate information flow, trust-building, and flexible coordination where top-down systems fail or are limited. These informal networks often enable prevention and early warning actions, emergency response, and the preservation of social cohesion under extreme pressure.
The presentation argues for a shift in how we assess and design DRR strategies in fragile settings: from focusing solely on institutional capacity to also recognizing and strengthening the everyday, decentralized, and relational infrastructures already in place. This approach has implications not only for more inclusive and adaptive DRR, but also for aligning humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts in practice.
