Heralding Unheard Voices: The Role of Faith-Based Organizations and Nongovernmental Organizations During Disasters. Final Report

摘要

Faith-based organizations (FBOs) and secular nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) stepped in to fill the gaps when the geographic scales, intensities, and durations of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita overwhelmed the existing disaster response resources. FBOs and NGOs undertook a surprisingly large, varied, and demanding set of activities with extraordinary effectiveness. They provided shelter, food, medical services, hygiene services, mental health and spiritual care, physical reconstruction, logistics management and services, transportation, children's services, and case management. The FBOs' and NGOs' successes in providing these services are a stark contrast to the many chronicled deficiencies and failures of government during the catastrophic 2005 hurricane season. By studying these organizations' successes, we can learn lessons that may make the nation better prepared for, and thus more responsive to, such disasters.