Faith can come in, but not religion

Secularity and its effects on the disaster response to Typhoon Haiyan

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7280781
AutoresOlivia Wilkinson (0000-0002-1739-3221, PhD Researcher, Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin University of Dublin Ireland, autor de correspondencia)
Año2017
Volumen42
Número3
Páginas459-474
Fecha de publicación2017-10-24
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaDisasters (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0361-3666 • E-ISSN: 1467-7717
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/disa.12258
PMID29064116
OpenAlexW2766409077
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas20
Referencias citadas9

While other works have analysed what constitutes a faith‐based approach, this study examines what values and practices are employed in a secular approach to disaster response in communities where religion matters. Evidence of a secular approach is assessed in the context of the disaster response to Typhoon Haiyan (2013) in the Philippines, a country in which more than 90 per cent of the population identify themselves as religious. Using interviews with staff members of non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) and focus groups composed of beneficiaries, this paper provides an overview of how respondents commonly characterise a secular approach to disaster response. Results indicate differing NGO and beneficiary opinions on interaction over efficiency and the impartiality and neutrality of organisations. Secularity had a distinct effect on the disaster response to Haiyan, mostly by creating boundaries vis‐à‐vis when and where religion was permitted in the secularised humanitarian system. An awareness of these effects is encouraged to improve interaction with affected populations and local organisations

Context (archaeology · Faith · Geography · Political science · Population · Secularity · Sociology · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Demography · Disaster Management and Resilience · Law · Religion, Society, and Development