International Environmental and Disaster Management, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Disasters. 2013 Jan;37(1):165-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7717.2012.01292.x. Epub 2012 Oct 10.
Several researchers have examined the role of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in poverty alleviation, but the part that they play in disaster risk reduction remains unaddressed. Through an empirical study of Hatiya Island, one of the most vulnerable coastal communities of Bangladesh, this research evaluates perceptions of MFI support for the disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery process. The findings reveal no change in relation to risk reduction and income and occupation aspects for more than one-half of the clients of MFIs. In addition, only 26 per cent of them have witnessed less damage as a result of being members of MFIs. One can argue, though, that the longer the membership time period the better the disaster preparedness, response, and recovery process. The outcomes of this study could help to guide the current efforts of MFIs to enhance the ability of coastal communities to prepare for and to recover from disasters efficiently and effectively.
一些研究人员已经研究了小额信贷机构（MFIs）在扶贫方面的作用，但它们在减少灾害风险方面的作用仍未得到解决。本研究通过对孟加拉国最脆弱的沿海社区之一——哈蒂亚岛的实证研究，评估了小额信贷机构对减少灾害风险、应对和恢复过程的支持程度。研究结果显示，超过一半的小额信贷机构客户在减少风险以及收入和职业方面没有变化。此外，只有 26%的人因成为小额信贷机构的成员而遭受的损失较少。尽管如此，人们可以认为，会员期限越长，灾害准备、应对和恢复过程就越好。本研究的结果可以帮助指导小额信贷机构目前的努力，提高沿海社区的能力，使其能够有效地为灾害做好准备并从中恢复。
