Opportunities & Challenges for Philanthropy in Building Community Resilience
This 2017 white paper from Give2Asia and the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) examines how private philanthropy can more effectively support disaster preparedness across South and Southeast Asia. Building on three years of engagement with 145 community-based organizations (CBOs) in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam, the report explores both the promise and the persistent challenges of funding preparedness initiatives.
The paper highlights Asia’s unparalleled vulnerability to natural hazards, from typhoons and floods to earthquakes and tsunamis, and underscores that while disasters are inevitable, their impacts are not. Locally led preparedness activities—such as early warning systems, evacuation planning, climate-adaptive agriculture, and inclusive disaster risk management—have proven both cost-effective and lifesaving. Yet despite these benefits, most donor funding continues to flow overwhelmingly into post-disaster relief and recovery, leaving preparedness underfunded.
Through case studies of seven locally led projects, the report demonstrates how grassroots innovation strengthens resilience: equipping fishermen with radio trackers in Bangladesh, enabling flood risk management in India, mobilizing inclusive disaster task forces in Myanmar, and protecting mangroves in the Philippines. These examples show the adaptability and sustainability of CBO-driven approaches.
The paper also analyzes donor engagement, including the barriers to “selling” preparedness to individual and corporate funders. It identifies common concerns—such as measuring impact, justifying business value, and donor fatigue—and suggests strategies to overcome them. Ultimately, the report calls for donors to make the business case for preparedness, to partner directly with CBOs, and to view preparedness not as a separate theme but as essential to safeguarding investments in health, education, and livelihoods.
By amplifying local leadership and educating donors, Give2Asia presents a roadmap for shifting disaster philanthropy from reactive aid toward long-term resilience.