Responding to disaster

by Deborah Bruce

In the wake of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti, we offer a look at the extent to which congregations and worshipers are inovolved in disaster relief efforts.

How are congregations involved in emergency services?

Congregations often contribute to such efforts by sending work teams to areas hit by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.  Overall about half of congregations (49%) sent individuals or groups to provide assistance to people in need in the previous year.  Catholic parishes and mainline Protestant congregations are more likely than conservative Protestant congregations to have sent people to help with relief efforts or other needs within the United States. Protestant congregations are more likely than Catholic parishes to have sent people or groups to provide assistance in other countries.

Congregational Involvement in Relief Efforts and Other Assistance to Those in Need

 

In the past 12 months, has the congregation sent people or groups to provide assistance to people in need . . .

	Catholic Parishes	Conservative Protestant Congregations	Mainline Protestant Congregations
In another part of the U.S.	45%	34%	44%
In another country	24%	29%	31%
Neither	48%	56%	49%

  Note.  Percentages add to more than 100% because some congregations sent people or groups to another part of the U.S. and to another country.

 

Many congregations also provide emergency aid in their own communities.  Almost nine in ten congregations (87%) report providing emergency relief or material assistance (free meals, food, clothes for the needy) in the previous year.  Catholic parishes (92%) and mainline Protestant congregations (89%) are more likely than conservative Protestant congregations (83%) to be involved in such services.

To what extent are individual worshipers involved in relief efforts?

We asked two questions that help answer that question.  The first asked whether worshipers had themselves participated in a mission or service trip in the previous year.  While this question did not ask separately about domestic and international work trips, it provides a first look at worshipers’ involvement in hands-on activities.  Overall, just 6% of worshipers reported going on work or mission trips. 

 

But among some groups, mission trips are much more popular.  One-quarter (23%) of worshipers 15 to 18 years of age participated in a work trip in the previous year.  That percentage rises to 35% among teens in Protestant congregations. These young people experience first-hand what it means to put their faith into action by helping those in need.

 

We also asked worshipers if they made a financial contribution to a charitable organization other than their congregation in the previous year.  While we don’t know whether these charities provide disaster relief, support social services, fund research for diseases or medical conditions, seek to fight injustice, or meet other societal needs, contributing to such organizations is widespread among worshipers.  Almost three-quarters (73%) made such a contribution in the previous year.

 

Congregations and worshipers play a vital role in meeting needs in times of crisis.  How will you and your congregation help? 

 

Please pray for the people of Haiti and seek ways to support the recovery effort through organizations active in Haiti or through your denomination’s disaster assistance programs.  The online Congregational Resource Guide provides information about supporting disaster relief and evaluating nonprofit organizations and links to major independent and denominational disaster assistance groups.