STRATEGIES AND LIMITATIONS OF FLOOD RISK REDUCTION BY NGOS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SÔ-AVA

A plethora of NGOs have supported grassroots communities in Benin for several decades through interventions in natural risk management. This study aims to analyse the strategies developed by NGOs to reduce flood risk, as well as their limitations, in the municipality of Sô-Ava.
The methodological approach combined documentary research, direct observation and field surveys of 384 households. Results were analysed using the SWOT model.
The findings show that NGOs in the municipality of Sô-Ava intervene in several areas, namely education, water supply, health and sanitation. These interventions are materialised through infrastructure and equipment in each of these areas. Indeed, 35.87% of surveyed households report having benefited from NGO actions, 49.21% report having received technical support, 21.61% material support, and 29.16% financial assistance. However, these NGOs face various constraints that hinder their actions, including limited funding, a shortage of qualified staff, and a lack of coordination and solidarity among themselves.
In view of these problems, intervention by the State and its development partners, through capacity building and strengthening of the institutional framework, is essential.