The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Disaster Response

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Resource Pages
The Bush Administration's Faith-Based and Community Initiative
An Introduction To Faith-Based Social Services
Faith-Based Initiatives and The States
The Comparative Effectiveness of Faith-Based Social Services
Guidance to Faith-Based Organizations Partnering With Government
Hiring Rights of Religious Organizations
Vouchers and Indirect Financing
Government's Role in Building the Capacity of Faith-Based Organizations
Taxpayers' Right to Sue over Church-State Violations
Faith-Based Prison Programs
Faith-Based Organizations in Disaster Response
Related Links: Conference Luncheon Program: "The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Disaster Response" An Interview with Suzie Harvey, parish administrator at the Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Public Funding for Religious Buildings
Healthy Marriage Initiative

The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Disaster Response

Publisher: The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

When disaster strikes around the world, faith-based organizations are among the first on the scene to help. In recent years in the United States, religious groups were perhaps most visible in the relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In fact, they have a long tradition of aiding victims of disasters. These organizations range from those that are well-known -- such as The Salvation Army and Methodist Church -- to thousands of smaller churches, mosques and synagogues that open their doors to provide emergency supplies of food, clothing and shelter to victims of catastrophic events.

To better understand the role faith-based organizations play in providing assistance during disasters, the Roundtable offers the following resources:

Related Roundtable News Stories:

Panel Urges Next President to Support Nonprofits in Disaster Recovery
Anne Farris, Roundtable Correspondent
Published: 9/16/08

Financial Catastrophe Looms for Interfaith Disaster Recovery Group
Claire Hughes, Roundtable Correspondent
Published: 9/9/2008

Report: Nonprofits Need Government to Lead Gulf Coast Recovery
Claire Hughes, Roundtable Correspondent
Published: 10/16/2007

Houses of Worship Work to Restore Services in New Orleans Neighborhoods
Claire Hughes, Roundtable Correspondent
Published: 08/29/2007

Religious Organizations Get Government’s Respect But Roles in Disaster Aid Uncertain
Claire Hughes, Roundtable Correspondent
Published: 08/29/2006

Katrina Anniversary Finds Faith-Based Groups Still on the Front Lines, Resilient But Fatigued
Anne Farris, Roundtable Washington Correspondent First
Published: 08/29/2006

Religious Leaders Call for Renewed Aid Efforts as Katrina Anniversary Nears
Anne Farris, Roundtable Washington Correspondent First
Published: 08/22/2006

Faith Leaders Quit Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund in Dispute Over Church Grants
Claire Hughes, Roundtable Correspondent
Published: 07/18/2006

New Disaster Report Cites Ways to Improve Use of Faith-Based Groups
Anne Farris, Roundtable Washington Correspondent First
Published: 07/11/2006

Federal Pandemic Flu and Disaster Plans Rely on Faith-Based Service Providers
Anne Farris, Roundtable Washington Correspondent First
Published: 05/09/2006

Faith-Based Groups Recognized as Key to Disaster Relief as Senate Calls for Replacement of FEMA
Anne Farris, Roundtable Washington Correspondent First
Published: 05/02/2006

Federal Katrina Aid Starts Flowing to Faith-Based Groups
Anne Farris, Roundtable Washington Correspondent First
Published: 03/28/2006

Federal Agency to Get Faith-Based Office
Claire Hughes, Roundtable Correspondent
Published: 03/14/2006

Katrina Report Praises Response by Faith-Based Groups
Claire Hughes, Roundtable Correspondent
Published: 02/282006

GAO Reviews Faith-Based Response to Hurricanes
Claire Hughes, Roundtable Correspondent
Published: 12/20/2005

Story: Roundtable Panel Explores FBOs in Disaster Response

Following the devastating trio of storms that battered the Gulf Coast this year, Americans saw faith- based organizations -- both large and small -- rush to the aid of evacuees and rescue workers. Among them were the countless local churches from Florida to Texas that opened their doors to displaced residents seeking shelter. But the involvement of such groups has raised many issues, including whether faith-based organizations should be reimbursed with public funds for their relief expenses, and to what extent should government depend on such groups when disaster strikes.

Click here to read more by Roundtable correspondent Claire Hughes.

The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Disaster Response

Click here to download the transcript (PDF document)

Report: "The State of the Law 2005 -- Federal-State Legal Relations: The Potential for Cooperation and Conflict"

This report provides a comprehensive review of recent developments in constitutional and statutory law concerning relationships between church and state, with a section -- pages 21-34 -- devoted to legal issues arising from involvement of faith-based groups in federal disaster response.

Click here to download the report (PDF doc)

FEMA Official Clarifies Federal Hurricane Aid to Faith-Based Groups:
Click here for more by Roundtable Correspondents Anne Farris and Claire Hughes.

FEMA to Allow Reimbursement of Faith-Based Groups for Hurricane Aid:
Click here for more on the story by Roundtable Correspondents Bryan Jackson and Anne Farris.

States Partner with Faith-Based and Community Groups in Storm Aftermath:
Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

Faith-Based Groups Take Action to Aid Katrina Victims:
Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Bryan Jackson.

Related Roundtable Interviews:

Cheryl Magee and Mary Ambrose of the United Way for Greater New Orleans Faith-Based Initiative
Published: 8/26/08

Rev. Bruce Davenport of St. John #5 Faith Church, New Orleans
Published: 08/29/2007

Keith Rothfus, Director of the Department of Homeland Security Center for
Faith-Based & Community Initiatives
Published: 05/08/2006

Candy Hill of Catholic Charities USA
Published: 02/28/2006

Louisiana Faith-Based Liaison Johnny G. Anderson
Published: 11/29/2005

John Berglund of the Salvation Army
Published: 09/06/2005

Suzie Harvey, parish administrator at the Christus Victor Lutheran Church in
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Published: 10/04/2005

News and Information from Other Sources:

President Bush noted the work of faith-based organizations when commemorating the anniversary of Katrina with a
speech in Biloxi, Mississippi on Monday.

Click here to read the White House report: The Federal Response to Hurricane
Katrina--Lessons Learned.

Click here to read the executive summary of the report "Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared" by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Click here for the Committee's home page on its Katrina-related hearings and reports.

Click here to read remarks by the President during his trip to the Gulf Coast.

News digest: A digest of news and information from other sources related to the involvement of faith-based groups aiding those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Disaster News Network