After a disaster, how can donors ensure that their funding and support is putting people first? Survivor and community-led response (sclr) can be a key tool for funders who want to make an impact and fill a gap left by governments and large NGOs. 

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) hosted a webinar, Survivor and Community-led Response: Putting People First in a Crisis, to help donors understand and engage in this method of relief funding. Tanya Gulliver-Garcia, CDP director of learning and partnerships, moderated a discussion between Mandeep Mudhar, independent consultant with Local to Global Protection; Guy Cave, president, Legatum Foundation; and Endalkachew Yaregal, director, ዜጎች ለዜጎች Zegoch lezegoch (Citizen to Citizen Development organization).

What Is Survivor and Community-led Response?

Survivor and community-led response is a type of relief that focuses on the existing resources and knowledge of the impacted communities.

“It's an approach and a set of tools developed over time that empowers and enables people to lead their own efforts to survive, to recover, and to protect themselves,” Mudhar said.

Yaregal pointed out that communities already have “the capacity, as well as the knowledge, originality, and skills” to solve the problems that they face. Sclr piggybacks on those resources, boosting existing strengths rather than building from scratch. 

When Is Survivor and Community-led Response Appropriate?

While it works in any crisis situation, it is uniquely suited to scenarios where extra barriers to aid exist.

“[It is] really well suited to particular situations, such as if mainstream aid is being restricted,” Cave said. “We support it in Myanmar, where the military dictatorship is trying to control aid to certain areas. We found it as a really effective ethical way to get support to some of the most vulnerable acute crises.”

Why Should Donors Focus on Survivor and Community-led Response?

  • Impact: Yaregal noted that “community response is much faster and more cost effective” than many traditional forms of funding. Throughout the webinar, the panelists highlighted the potential impact of microgrants, which can be less than $5,000. 
  • Filling gaps: Large organizations and governments play a role in disaster relief and recovery, but they don’t cover everything. Donors can step up to fill in the gaps left by these entities and help local communities implement their solutions.
  • Serving those with the greatest need and understanding: Mudhar highlighted that “people in communities in a crisis are the most significant responders to that crisis, and are always the first and last ones there.” Communities know their resources and needs best. They have a level of understanding of the local context that cannot be replicated by outsiders who come in following a disaster. 

How Can Donors Engage in Survivor and Community-led Response?

Trust: Mudhar explained that “it's the moral duty of all actors, including international actors, to trust in the power and decision-making of ordinary people.” 

Do your due diligence: Cave explained that Legatum Foundation does its due diligence on the local organization that it intends to grant to. Once that is done, it gives to the organization and trusts the organization to make the grant and complete the supporting services that make up the sclr. Legatum Foundation doesn’t vet the people who ultimately receive the microgrants and other support – trusting them instead. Cave urges other donors to follow this model. 

Be flexible: Mudhar urged funders to be willing to change ”your roles, your procedures, and mindsets” in order to better serve communities. Donors should consider that their way of doing things may be impeding progress. Being willing to change, especially in ways that demonstrate trust, is key to success in supporting sclr. 

Take risks: Trying new things creates opportunities for failure, but it also creates opportunities for success. Either way, everyone can learn from the effort. 

Watch the full webinar: Survivor and Community-led Response: Putting People First in a Crisis at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.