‘Democracy that delivers’ is a catchphrase that summarizes many citizens’ hopes for democratic systems.

Participation offers an opportunity to steer political priorities towards socio-economic development for all. In order to provide this for all people, democratic values and principles need to spread from governments to the everyday life of citizens.

One of the responsibilities that affects citizens most in their daily routine is the level of service delivery provided by governments. Democratic accountability is essential for determining which actors are responsible for service delivery and their compliance with their obligations and with the public’s demands.

When Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013, the need for disaster emergency relief services was of unforeseen magnitude. This report documents an assessment of housing and relocation service delivery in the typhoon’s aftermath, focusing on the towns of Palo (in Leyte province) and Guiuan (in Eastern Samar).

The report provides valuable insights into how accountability relationships within disaster emergency relief function, and discusses how to strengthen the complicated network of involved actors and their correspondence with local communities.