Religious congregations in disaster response

Abstract

Knowledge of whether or not religious congregations are indeed involved in disaster response and—if involved—in what tasks and activities they are engaged is important for the planning and management of disaster response. Although limited in generalizability of findings based on methodologies used, a review of the academic literature demonstrates a fairly clear role for religious congregations in disaster recovery activities but does not delineate a distinct role for congregations in response functions. However, anecdotal evidence and limited empirical evidence exists that suggests that religious congregations might and could play a role in preimpact response activities, including warning, precautionary action, and evacuation, as well as in postimpact response activities associated with providing for the welfare of survivors. The research literature also provides predictors of congregational involvement, as well as a number of barriers and limitations to involvement. This involvement—or lack thereof—has implications for both the discipline and practice of emergency management.