Faith can come in, but not religion

Secularity and its effects on the disaster response to Typhoon Haiyan

Bibliographic Data

ID7280781
AuthorsOlivia Wilkinson (0000-0002-1739-3221, PhD Researcher, Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin University of Dublin Ireland, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume42
Issue3
Pages459-474
Publication date2017-10-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDisasters (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0361-3666 • E-ISSN: 1467-7717
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/disa.12258
PMID29064116
OpenAlexW2766409077
LanguageEN
Citations received20
References cited9

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