The Role of Faith Based Organizations in Disaster Response

1
The Role of Faith BasedOrganizationsin Disaster
Response

• Don Timmerman, Director of Disaster Services,
  Manitoba and Saskatchewan
• Salvation Army

2
Responding to DisastersSpiritual Foundations

• Faith based groups are motivated by spiritual
  compulsion.
• Faith based groups seek to meet not only the
  physical and material needs of disaster victims
  but also the spiritual and emotional needs

3
References

• Bible Some give freely, yet grow all the
  richerA generous person will be enriched, and
  one who gives water will get water Proverbs
  1124-25
• Bible Because he loves me, says the Lord, I
  will rescue him I will protect him, for he
  acknowledges My name. He will call upon Me and I
  will answer him I will be with him in trouble, I
  will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 9 14-16

4
References

• For Jews, the Torah makes it clear that it is a
  Jewish mandate to respond to the needs of the
  poor and needyDoing tzedakah, righteous deeds,
  is part of the Jewish obligation to participate
  in tikkun olam-helping to repair the world.
  (Source American Jewish World Service

5
References

• For Muslims, the Quran and the prophet Muhammed
  are sources of inspiration
• Whoever saved a life, it would be as if he saved
  the life of all mankind. Quran 532
• He is not one with us who sleeps with a full
  stomach when he knows that his neighbour goes
  hungry. The prophet, Muhammed

6
Role of Churches in Disaster ResponseStrengths

• Location in the disaster affected community
• Immediate access to buildings, which can be used
  as emergency shelters, warehouse space or other
  uses.
• Members whom they may call upon to serve as
  volunteers.
• Familiarity with local geography, demographics.

7
Church Strengths contd

• Often established relationships with community
  leaders.
• Ability to help identify and contact populations
  with special needs, including the elderly and
  disabled.
• Reflection of the cultural diversity of their
  communities

8
Church Strengths contd

• Potential connections to other faith based groups
  in the community through pre-existing alliances,
  such as inter faith groups or ministerial
  associations.
• Role as a trusted, traditional source of refuge
  for those in need or in trouble.

9
Responsibilities of Faith-Based Groups

• Educate members of the congregation and the
  community about the dangers of likely disaster
  events and how to prepare for them.
• Look after members of their congregations,
  particularly those with special needs, during the
  emergency.
• Offer advocacy on behalf of those most in need.

10
Responsibilities contd

• Work in partnership with governmental and other
  charitable relief organizations, cooperate and
  support disaster recovery operations.
• Determine unmet needs of people who are
  especially vulnerable and marginalized by the
  disaster.
• Provide pastoral or spiritual services.

11
Responsibilities contd

• Provide a larger vision of life that includes
  emotional and spiritual care as well as physical
  and material rebuilding.

12
Summary

• There is a strong spiritual foundation underlying
  the participation of faith-based organizations in
  emergency work.
• Faith-based organizations seek to meet the
  material, physical, emotional and spiritual needs
  of disaster victims.
• Faith-based organizations have distinct
  advantages in ministering to the needs of
  disaster victims and responsibilities in helping
  their congregation and community prepare for and
  recover from a disaster.

13
Pandemic

• Set up a call system within your church for those
  likely to be house bound.
• Call house-bound regularly to check on their
  situation.
• Deliver groceries, medication to those
  house-bound.
• Prepare meals at home or at the church for those
  house-bound.
• Deliver meals to those house-bound and unable to
  cook for selves.
• Provide transportation as required for those
  house-bound.

14
Pandemic contd

• Activities undertaken for church members can for
  expanded to the community at large based on the
  number of volunteers available.
• Partner with other faith based groups to increase
  effectiveness in caring for the greater
  community.