Building social capital through Konbit for post-disaster recovery: A case study of rural areas in the Xaragua peninsula, Haiti

This study investigates the role of the traditional community group, konbit, in post-disaster recovery within earthquake-affected rural villages in Haiti in 2021. Despite geographical isolation and limited resources, these villages challenge assumptions about low social capital post-disaster. Utilizing a mixed-method approach combining qualitative interviews and quantitative Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the study addresses three research questions: (1) How does konbit participation influence cognitive and structural social capital post-disaster? (2) What short-term and long-term impacts does konbit participation have on community recovery? and (3) How do cognitive and structural social capital affect different phases of post-disaster recovery? Data collected from 592 households through stratified random sampling across villages reveal that konbit participation significantly enhances both cognitive and structural social capital, with cognitive capital crucial for immediate recovery and structural capital vital for long-term resilience. Konbit emerges as a versatile catalyst, driving both immediate and sustained recovery efforts. Emphasizing the importance of community-centric approaches, the findings advocate for tailored interventions leveraging the strengths of cognitive and structural social capital within konbit and similar community groups, thus advancing research in community-centric disaster recovery strategies.