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How Border Disputes Influence Disaster Response
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

How Border Disputes Influence Disaster Response

Adam Lappe, Sara McLaughlin Mitchell and Elise Pizzi
International studies quarterly, Vol.70(3), sqag059
08/11/2026
DOI: 10.1093/isq/sqag059
Appears in  UI Libraries Support Open Access
url
https://doi.org/10.1093/isq/sqag059View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Abstract This study examines how governments, international actors (states and international organizations), and non-state actors (non-governmental organizations) respond to disasters, focusing on whether response is distinct in border areas, in areas with ongoing territorial claims, and in areas with settled borders. The theory considers the role of state capacity and strategic importance of geographic areas to help understand whether and how government and other actors respond to disasters. Using new quantitative data on disaster response policies in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (1900–2020) at the administrative 1 level (N = 3,609), panel logit analyses show that territorial disputes significantly increase disaster response by security and international actors, and that disasters near international borders increase actors’ responsiveness, consistent with the strategic logic. In contrast, once a territorial claim is resolved, many actors (military, civil defense, leaders, IOs, and other states) are significantly less likely to offer disaster aid, reflecting the diminished strategic importance of the area. State capacity has a weaker effect on disaster response, although civil defense responds more often in more populated areas, and areas farther from the capital city receive less assistance from the military, civil defense, leaders, other states, and IOs. The findings demonstrate that geography and interstate relations influence disaster responses and that peaceful settlement of territorial disputes may paradoxically reduce disaster assistance.
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