THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS IN BUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN TURKANA CENTRAL SUB-COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

The study sought to determine the extent to which Non-Governmental Organizations have played a critical role in Turkana County's community resilience to climate change-related disasters. Numerous non-governmental organizations have undertaken various programs aimed at enhancing community resilience, but the community's capacity to endure disaster shocks has continued to dwindle. The study determined whether or not community resilience has been increased as a result of non-governmental organization (NGO) programs. The study addressed the following gaps: to determine the impact of Community Based Early Warning Systems as a strategy used by Non-Governmental Organizations in building community resilience; to determine the impact of Community Based Contingency Planning for climate change disasters on community resilience; to investigate the effect of governance on community resilience and to determine livelihoods approaches that promote building community resilience. Two frameworks were examined in relation to the study's three objectives: the Sendai framework for disaster risk management and the Hyogo framework for action. The study used a descriptive survey to choose 380 families randomly from a target population of 38,173 households in Turkana Central Sub-County. Data collecting methods included household questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The checklist for key informant interviews was distributed to Non-Governmental Organizations operating in Turkana Central Sub-County. The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. While descriptive statistics made use of frequency distributions, percentages, means, and standard deviations, inferential statistics made use of correlation and linear regression to determine the relationship between variables. The study's findings indicated that the establishment of effective early warning systems has aided in the development of livelihood resilience by strengthening coping strategies and even adaptive capacity. Additionally, the study indicated that a contingency plan had been developed on the basis of community input and that community people were involved in disaster contingency planning. Additionally, data indicated that local-level institutions adhering to good governance principles and national policy standards can be particularly effective at mitigating disaster-related loss and damage. The study concludes that major improvements in the design and implementation of early warning systems were required. Additionally, the study recommendes that political will and commitment be demonstrated in the structuring of laws, their enforcement and regulation, funding and policy, government-led response, rehabilitation, and recovery, as well as in equipping communities through informed Community Contingency Planning. The report advocates for the establishment of a network of the diverse range of organizations operating at various levels of government to promote more coordinated and integrated catastrophe risk reduction efforts.