Response

Although it is the most difficult stage to be a part of, faith communities have a role to play in the response stage of disaster. Response refers to immediate actions taken after a disaster to protect lives and property and meet essential human needs. For disasters that occur locally or remotely, these are response functions that houses of worship can be involved in:

Raising Awareness
During a disaster, rumors and misinformation are very easy to spread. One of the most important functions a faith community can do is provide accurate and timely information while actively quelling rumors. This function not only provides information to members, it also helps keep them calm in a disaster setting.

Fundraising
The most important thing a disaster-stricken area needs is money. Money provides the flexibility to purchase whatever they need at the moment, rather than wait for specific items to be donated.

Spiritual and mental health services
Unlike the military or many NGOs involved in disaster, faith communities are particularly capable in providing the faith, comfort, hope, and spiritual reinforcement that people need after a disaster. Even if a disaster strikes far away, community members might still be affected.

Sheltering
Identify houses of worship that are Red Cross-designated shelters in your area. If there isn't one, talk to your local American Red Cross Chapter to determine whether your church is a good candidate. The Red Cross has particular protocol set up that allows houses of worship to be designated as official shelters. The Red Cross provides training to congregations on how to organize a shelter. If you are not a designated shelter, "adopt a shelter". That is, develop a written agreement with an approved shelter church so that your house of worship can provide volunteers and meals in the event of a local disaster.

Red Cross Shelter Survey

ERT (Emergency Response Teams)
ERTs are trained people who go to disaster stricken locations to provide assistance. ERTs should already have contact information with organizations like the Red Cross or the Salvation Army so that they know where to go.

EMAC-like (Emergency Mutual Agreement Compact) partnerships
By forming partnerships with other houses of worship in disaster-prone areas, both houses of worship create a direct channel to discover what people might need in the event of a disaster. These mutual agreements might provide fundraising, food and good donation drives, or sheltering for people in partnered organizations.

Food & goods donation drive
Houses of worship can assist disaster victims in their physical needs including laundry services, food, or good drives. While food and good drives are popular, only send in-kind donations that have been specifically requested by a local disaster relief agency. Often times, houses of worship are great places to collect hygiene and baby kits which usually include:.

The most effective response to a disaster is one that has a lot of preparation behind it. By contacting the Red Cross or Salvation Army or a faith community’s regional coordinating body, a house of worship can better integrate itself within the disaster system.

For more information, to request a disaster preparedness presentation, or for guidance on implementing these steps, contact Selena Xie at Selena@texasimpact.org or (512) 472 - 3903.

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