Assessment of Coordination among Lead Agencies of Natural Disasters Management in Iran

In vast natural disasters, disaster management is undertaken by several organizations with special duties. Lack of proper coordination is a main problem and challenge for natural disaster management which is caused by undefined disaster activities. Cooperation and coordination between responsible organizations result in successful natural disaster management. This qualitative study with content analysis approach was conducted through structured interviews. Twenty eight related organization's managers and experts responsible for disasters were deeply interviewed. Data were analyzed using content analysis approach. The most important factors in disaster mismanagement included lack of appointing unique commander based on each natural disaster, weak supervisions and controls, lack of forming comprehensive data bank for disaster management, lack of national plans for disasters, lack of improved and updated rules and regulations, non-defined operational procedures and organizations functions, lack of effective maneuvers for exercising inter-organizational coordination and recognizing connection points, and weak organizational communication. I nter-organizational coordination is important in disaster management. Efforts should be made to reinforce inter-organizational coordination from pre- disaster stage to necessary preparations at time of response to natural disasters.