Moved to partner: A case study of faith-based congregations in disaster response.

When disaster strikes, many players are involved in the response: local, state, and federal governments; public entities; community and faith-based organizations (FBOs). Some of these players are prepped to respond to disasters, while others emerge spontaneously to assist when need (or perceived need) arises. Consistently, FBOs are involved with disaster response efforts. "Faith-Based Congregations" or "FBCs" are a subsect of FBOs that are formally organized, stationary religious congregations such as churches, temples, mosques, etc. Unlike some FBOs, FBCs are embedded in communities and steeped in those communities' cultures. The value of FBCs to disaster management is recognized at the federal level, as FEMA encourages local emergency managers to engage their "Whole Community." Though shown to provide for many needs following disaster, FBCs' role in disaster is largely understudied. Additionally, the mechanics of engaging with FBCs are not simple to implement. The role of FBCs, how they adapt, and the predictors of their involvement need to be better understood in order for improved cross-sector collaboration pre- and post-disaster. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of FBCs in the disaster response process and how FBCs are impacted by the early transition to recovery. This study addressed two primary research questions: What is the role of FBCs during disaster response? How do FBCs change (temporarily and permanently) during disaster response, and what factors may promote or inhibit change? To answer these questions, this qualitative study employed telephone interviews with leaders of FBCs who helped provide disaster response assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Katy, Texas.

Social vulnerability and disaster: understanding the perspectives of practitioners.

This paper seeks to understand how local emergency managers perceive and define social vulnerability. There has been a significant increase recently in the amount of research on social vulnerability, yet little is known about the extent to which that knowledge is being translated into practice. To address this void, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with a sample of local emergency managers (N=24), asking them to describe what social vulnerability means to them. The analysis identified four primary perspectives on social vulnerability prevalent in the sample, pertaining to: (i) culture and poverty; (ii) a moral imperative; (iii) a lack of security; and (iv) a lack of knowledge and awareness. Although these practitioner viewpoints may not align perfectly with the definitions of social vulnerability predominant in the hazards and disasters literature, the results of this study do suggest a possible narrowing of the gap between research and practice as it relates to social vulnerability.

Section 9 : Restoration activities

This section describes activities that were indicated to restore social routines to the impacted region. Basic social functions (transportation, health care, education) are often disrupted when major disaster events occur. It refers to housing and the earthquake, estimating the number of homeless, three types of tent cities, adjusting to daily living in the tent cities, restoration of education and health care facilities