DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY RESPONSE IN LEBANON: THE CASE OF BEIRUT PORT EXPLOSION

Abstract

Lebanon is at a high risk of both natural and manmade disasters. Unfortunately, the lack of preparedness to face a disaster and the lack of an adequate emergency relief plan are causing Lebanon to suffer more and more with each disaster, thus having a toll on both the private and public sectors. Therefore, the weakness of the state in facing disasters and the historic Lebanese reliance on the non-profit sector to compensate for the state's incompetence to face disasters pose the question of the role of both state and non-state actors during disasters.

This thesis will study these roles in light of their inter-organizational relationship during disasters, particularly the case of the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020. The effectiveness of inter-organizational relationships in response to disasters in Lebanon will be thoroughly analyzed from the aspect of the role of the local community in responding to the blast, the reasons behind the state being unable to respond, and whether the local community is replacing the state during disasters.

Twenty-five interviews were conducted with the head of the response teams of NGOs and initiatives involved in response to the blast. The findings suggest that the lack of coordination between NGOs and the state is due to the state's lack of leadership and trust. These findings also demonstrated a lack of public and private sector preparedness. Therefore, inter-organizational relationships are needed in response to a disaster in a weak state.

This study helps in dissecting the basis of this issue. Furthermore, it aids in confronting future disasters by shedding light on both what went wrong and what went well in response to the Beirut port explosion to build on if such another unfortunate event occurs again.