Localisation requires trust

An interface perspective on the Rohingya response in Bangladesh

Bibliographic Data

ID7280366
AuthorsKristina Roepstorff (0000-0002-5679-7843, Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Humanities, Social Science, and Education Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg Germany, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume46
Issue3
Pages610-632
Publication date2021-03-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDisasters (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0361-3666 • E-ISSN: 1467-7717
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/disa.12483
PMID33760294
OpenAlexW3137485646
LanguageEN
Citations received19
References cited34

Local actors are promoted as important agents in the humanitarian sector's latest reform efforts. Opinions on the exact meaning and the best means of implementing localisation differ, however. Applying an interface perspective, this paper analyses how the Rohingya response in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, became an arena of contestation, competition, and sometimes convergence among different actors in relation to localisation. It shows how misconceptions and divergent understandings of localisation and the best methods of achieving it were prevalent and hampered the joint endeavours of international and local humanitarian bodies. Although both sides sought common ground, conflicting views, interests, and perceptions of ‘self’ and ‘other’ stood in the way. A lack of trust between international and local organisations intensified divisions. The paper argues, therefore, that the humanitarian sector needs to engage in trust‐building between the various entities involved in humanitarian response if localisation is to be realised, including addressing underlying structural and systemic issues of (neo)colonialism, racism, and classism

Biology · Competition (biology · Convergence (economics · Economic growth · Economics · Epistemology · Meaning (existential · Perception · Perspective (graphical · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography · Cambodian History and Society · Computer Science · Peacebuilding and International Security · Ecology

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