1.8. Role of Crisis in Social Connectedness

The term social capital; if you refer to Putnam's work on, it says the social resources which people draw upon to pursue their objectives, these comprise networks and connections between individuals, membership of groups and relationships of trust and exchange, it could be a horizontal capital, it could be a vertical capital, it could be a network within a group, it could be across groups.

Social capital refers to the value derived from social networks, relationships, and trust among individuals in a community. According to Robert Putnam, this concept includes resources that people leverage to achieve their goals through connections and mutual support. Social capital can be vertical, such as relationships between different levels of a hierarchy, or horizontal, like peer-to-peer interactions within the same level.

Consider a group of neighbors working together to create a community garden. They build social capital as they form relationships, share resources, and cultivate trust. Over time, they rely on each other not just for garden-related tasks but also for support in various life situations, thereby thriving collectively.

One has to understand, when you are in a crisis, it actually brings people together and stimulates stronger and lasting social connectedness so, this is a crisis also gives an opportunity to bring people together.

During a crisis, such as a natural disaster or a public health emergency, people tend to unite, overcoming personal differences to assist one another. This collective effort fosters social connectedness, leading to stronger bonds that may outlast the crisis itself. When faced with adversity, communities often discover new strengths and connections that weren't present before.

Think of how communities often gather to help victims after a hurricane. Neighbors who may not have interacted before come together to provide food, shelter, and support, forming lifelong friendships and a supportive community network as a result of a shared experience.

Inclusion and expectations and that is where the participation, whom to include, how to include and because they have all different expectations and this is where the participatory methods play an important role if you are talking about participation that there is also a note of successful 3 T’s.

In a crisis situation, it’s vital to determine who should be included in decision-making processes and how to involve them effectively. Different individuals and groups have varying expectations from the crisis response. The 3 T’s refer to Transparency, Time, and Trust, all of which contribute to successful participation. Being clear about processes, investing time in relationships, and building trust shapes a stronger community response.

Imagine organizing a town hall meeting after a flood to discuss recovery efforts. By ensuring that all affected community members know about the meeting (transparency), allowing ample time for discussions and building rapport (time), and creating an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and trusted (trust), the response can become much more effective and cohesive.

But the question is; is it practical to involve everyone all the time in CBDRM activities? This is very difficult question; this is very difficult task for any NGO to address it.

In Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM), involving every individual consistently poses significant challenges due to varying levels of engagement, availability, and the complexity of issues at hand. Organizations often struggle to balance comprehensive involvement while ensuring effectiveness in decision-making and resource allocation.

Think of an NGO attempting to engage every community member in a recovery program after a disaster. While the goal is to be inclusive, logistical hurdles such as differing schedules, interests, and levels of willingness may mean that not everyone can participate at all times, leading to a compromise in the quality of community engagement.

Some of the key tools, involving the most vulnerable so, who are all affected, who are frequently targeted or who are under threat, try to involve them as much as possible that is one of the important step.

One of the crucial aspects of effective disaster management is ensuring that the most vulnerable populations, who are often the first to be affected by crises, are included in the planning and decision-making processes. This inclusion ensures that their specific needs are acknowledged and addressed, empowering them and providing them with a voice in the decisions affecting their lives.

In a program aimed at earthquake preparedness, community organizers might hold workshops specifically tailored for marginalized groups, such as the elderly or individuals with disabilities. By inviting their input and involving them in planning, the program can create tailored solutions like accessible emergency evacuation routes that cater to their unique needs.

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