Distribution Effects in post-disaster settings

A Distribution Effect occurs when people perceive that an organization has a bias in favor for or against a specific group through the way they distribute resources.

The criteria interveners use to select recipients of assistance or to hire their staff or identify their partners often match with local identity groups. If the choices about who to help, who to hire or with whom to partner favor one group over others, and thus provide important resources for survival to this group, the assistance becomes contested and can be a serious source of tension and conflict.

The following section describes a common type of distribution effect, with some examples. The examples are not exhaustive of the type, but rather illustrative of a pattern we have seen repeated in many places.

Distribution Effects in post-disaster settings

While similar to post-conflict settings in that everybody has needs, there is not the same concern about “winners” and “losers”. Instead, the concern is that those defined as “most affected” by the disaster might come from a specific group. There are two implications that have been borne out by experience.

The first is the possibility of raising resentment against a population that is already the target of structural violence. It is generally understood that those most affected by disasters tend to be poorer. In many places, poverty tracks along identity groups. When organizations focus on a marginalized identity group in a situation where there are needs broadly across the society, they can increase tension directed toward that group.

The second comes from the fact that organizations tend to use criteria that is disaster focused to target their resources. Yet, those directly affected by the disaster may not be the only groups with significant need. When a disaster strikes a conflict-affected area, resources tend to be transferred away from the conflict, toward disaster-related criteria. When groups with grievances and severe needs suddenly experience diminished resources and see their issue decline in importance, this raises tensions.

Do No Harm users have found ways to use their criteria so as to open up the number of people with whom they can work, rather than shrinking it.

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