Humanitarian leadership in urban communities

An exploratory study on the role of community leaders in humanitarian coordination during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Philippines

Bibliographic Data

ID19539673
AuthorsMaria Carinnes P Alejandria (0000-0001-5867-4970, Universiti Brunei Darussalam), Philippe Jose Hernandez (University of Santo Tomas), Marie Antonette Quan-Nalus (University of Santo Tomas), Froilan Alipao, Froilan A Alipao (University of Santo Tomas), Denise Tumaneng (University of Santo Tomas), Cathleen Justine Ruiz (University of Santo Tomas), Kay Anne Dela Cruz (University of Santo Tomas), Kristel May Casimiro (0000-0003-4293-5683, University of Santo Tomas)
Year2024
Volume24
Issue3
Pages208-220
Publication date2024-11-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSoutheast Asia A Multidisciplinary Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1819-5091 • E-ISSN: 2948-0426
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/seamj-01-2024-0008
OpenAlexW4402264628
LanguageEN
References cited20

Purpose In the Global South where humanitarian responses to disasters are often hampered by systemic gaps, community-based humanitarian actors play a crucial but underexplored role in mediating aid to vulnerable populations. This study explores the everydayness of humanitarian action through the lived experiences of urban community leaders during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines. Specifically, it sheds light on their engagement with national-level responders, the typologies of humanitarian activities they undertook and the contextual factors influencing their decision-making. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative approach, this study presents interviews with 35 community-based humanitarian leaders in urban poor areas of Metro Manila, Philippines. Analytical themes were developed inductively from the transcripts. Findings Due to mobility restrictions from quarantine protocols, the typologies of humanitarian action shifted to accommodate arising challenges from pandemic management. Engagement with formal humanitarian actors were premised on pre-existing relationships. The study further reveals that, despite lacking formal training, community leaders utilized preexisting networks of care while subscribing to Filipino communal values of bayanihan (working together), malasakit (care) and pagkakaisa (unity). The findings underscore the need for discourse on the realities faced by community leaders and highlight the importance of holistic and gendered capacity building for effective disaster response in vulnerable communities. Originality/value This study contributes to understanding the intricate dynamics of humanitarian coordination, particularly in areas where community leaders act as critical intermediaries between their constituents and external support providers and concludes with critical take on localization as a form of community resilience to disaster events

Business · Community resilience · Economic growth · Humanitarian aid · Intermediary · Originality · Political science · Psychological resilience · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Disaster Management and Resilience · Homelessness and Social Issues · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology