Implementation of coping and adaptive measures by non-governmental organisations during drought : A case-study of the international federation of the red cross and crescent societies in Sub-Saharan Africa

This thesis focuses on cases of drought since it is one of the most common and disastrous natural hazards that we experience on earth. Non-governmental organisations have traditionally offered humanitarian aid directed to response and relief measures. However, research shows that more long-term adaptive measures are more effective in reducing vulnerability and decreasing disaster risk. This thesis investigates how the International federation of the red cross and crescent society (IFRC) engage in vulnerability reducing measures through short-term coping and long-term adaptive measures and if it is in line with what the research presented in the theory section of this thesis has shown is the most effective way. Through the use of qualitative content analysis and a case-study design, four reports from two cases of drought in Sub-Saharan Africa have been analysed. The results indicate that the IFRC are still more prone to implement coping measures, but that adaptive measures are visible throughout the entirety of their projects. This thesis will have nuanced the work of Non-governmental organisations in disaster-struck areas and to contribute to future studies by its generalisability.