A1 Journal article (refereed)
Impediments to localization agenda : humanitarian space in the Rohingya response in Bangladesh (2022)

Khan, A. K., & Kontinen, T. (2022). Impediments to localization agenda : humanitarian space in the Rohingya response in Bangladesh. Journal of International Humanitarian Action, 7(1), Article 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-022-00122-1

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Khan, Abdul Kadir; Kontinen, Tiina

Journal or series: Journal of International Humanitarian Action

ISSN: 2364-3412

eISSN: 2364-3404

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 16/07/2022

Volume: 7

Issue number: 1

Article number: 14

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-022-00122-1

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82472

Abstract

The article spotlights the impediments of the localization agenda in the Rohingya response in Bangladesh through the notion of humanitarian space. The Rohingyas rely entirely on material aid and humanitarian services in the camps, mainly stemming from international actors committed to the localization agenda, which, however, has not been effectively implemented. Drawing on the definition of humanitarian space as an arena, we investigate the main negotiations within humanitarian space in the Rohingya response and how they impede the realization of the localization agenda. We conducted secondary data analysis on reports published by organizations involved and validated the findings with ten telephone interviews with organizations in Bangladesh. We identified three main negotiations. First, negotiation on the nature of the partnership between local and international humanitarian actors, including the debates on the definition of “local”; second, negotiation concerning the characteristics and appreciation of local capacity; and third, the negotiation related to constraints within the operating environment for humanitarian actors in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. We conclude that the lens of humanitarian space is necessary for further understanding the dynamics impeding localization in the Rohingya response in particular and humanitarian action in general.

Keywords: international relief; development cooperation; humanitarian intervention; relief work; localisation (adaptation); Rohingyas

Free keywords: localization; humanitarian action; humanitarian space; civic space; Rohingya response

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1