Citation

Wilkinson O. Disasters 2018; 42(3): 459-474.

Affiliation

Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Ireland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/disa.12258

PMID

29064116

Abstract

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.

© 2017 The Author(s). Disasters © Overseas Development Institute, 2017.

Language: en

Keywords

Philippines; humanitarian; impartiality; religion; secular