From research to policy : the case of tsunami rehabilitation in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to identify the policy implications of the findings of the comparative project on tsunami rehabilitation carried out in Sri Lanka and Aceh. It begins with a critique of the notion of ‘emergency’ that dominates humanitarian organisations. It also shows how managerial tools like Guiding Principles are no answer to the complex issues faced by projects. The last section points to a number of issues raised by the research studies: the importance of constantly questioning the theoretical and methodological models used by humanitarian aid organizations; the need for a better understanding of the nature of the state and its possible role in rehabilitation; the tragic consequences which result when social organization and land tenure patterns are ignored by aid organizations; that the repetition of the mantra of community participation does not ensure equity. It concludes with the argument that for policies and projects to be successful, implementors have to make use of the existing knowledge base and must employ people who have the competence and experience to work in these societies; the institutional structures of the agencies must also be flexible to deal with all kinds of social and political complexities which are unique to each country.