The impact of governance on natural disaster response: 2011 Southeast Asia hydro-meteorological disasters in the Philippines and Thailand

Abstract

Southeast Asia has been frequently hit by severe natural disasters that impeded socioeconomic development of many countries in this region. The 2011 Southeast Asia Floods have affected millions of people and caused massive economic damages in this region. By examining catastrophes in the Philippines and Thailand, this study focuses on analyzing the relationship between governance and disaster response measures. The research centers on finding out how disaster response measures differ among these two countries based on good disaster risk governance: institutional efficacy, civil society participation, and emergency aid adequacy.

The study reveals that regardless of political structure and economic capacity, countries with stronger stakeholder coordination involved in response measures cope better. Despite higher economic standards, the Thai government struggled to coordinate with its internal and external partners. This is partly due to its instable political situation when the flooding occurred. Meanwhile, the Philippine government responded in a timely manner along with stronger coordination with its disaster management agencies, related ministries, civil society and international actors.