Based on your readings thus far from the text and your own research, explain the role non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) play in disaster response. Evaluate the role faith-based organizations play, or should play,
in the overall disaster management process. Describe 1 faith-based organization that plays a major role in
disaster management.
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play a significant role in providing humanitarian services after natural
hazards and disasters. These nonprofit, mostly voluntary, and independent of government bureaucracy
organizations have a quick response and try to save as many lives as they can with the given funds. NGOs were first
called such in Article 71 in the Charter of the newly formed United Nations in 1945 (Trainings in nonprofit
fundraising, proposal writing, grants, 2021, para. 1). While NGOs don’t have a formal definition they are generally
defined as nonprofit entities independent of government influence, although some may receive government
funding.
NGOs became increasingly popular as globalization became prominent during the 20th century. Many problems
could not be solved within a nation. International treaties and organizations such as the World Trade Organization
and the United Nations were perceived as being too centered on the interests of capitalist enterprises and the
bureaucracy of the recovery response process. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
requires written damage assessments before it disburse any relief funds. It also requires verification of losses from
individuals and groups seeking aid (Schneider, 1992, p. 136). Although these are not legal requirements, they have
become a permanent standard operating procedure that has been mandated by FEMA regulations. This
combination of legal and administrative regulations is typical for all emergency response organizations that are a
part of the United States government. Lawmakers set the broad parameters and the government emergency
response organizations specify more precise guidelines. Because of this, there is a significant lag in the response
time to manmade and natural disasters. Since, NGOs don’t have a particular set of rules or regulations that they
must abide by, they hold the compacity to respond to manmade or natural disasters quicker.
Faith based NGOs are uniquely situated to provide disaster relief response and recovery to those effected by
natural and manmade disasters. These organizations provide critical links to local faith communities in
humanitarian context, facilitating rapid response to disaster and reinforcing resilience of local communities for
peace building and recovery. The word of God and his places of worship play a significant role in offering positive
and deeply embedded language about human dignity, human relationship, and their meaning in shaping the
human rights discourse. Because of this, faith-based NGOs have a moral imperative to aid people of other faiths
and non-believers. In recent times, faith-based NGOs have increasingly become more appreciated in the role they
play with humanitarian response. “There is renewed interest in the engagement of faith-based organizations in
humanitarian response, mirroring broader attention to the role of faith and faith-based action in the public sphere”
(Role of faith-based organizations in humanitarian response reflection, n.d., p. 2). Governments and institutions
have heavily relied on non-faith-based NGOs to respond to humanitarian needs worldwide. However, with the
increased popularity of faith-based NGOs, these organizations have renewed their calls for inclusion by
governments and donors as the critical role they are serving is well demonstrated. It should also be noted that
humanitarian standards at all levels of government are consistent with the core theological beliefs of al major
religions, thus making efforts of humanitarian actor and faith-based NGOs complementary.
An example of a Faith Based NGO is Samaritans Purse. Samaritans Purse is a nondenominational Christian
organization that provides spiritual and physical aid to people affected by disaster and poverty around the world.
Established in 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has provided aid to those in need for over 50 years to include, earthquakes,
hurricanes, wars, feminine and even diseases throughout the world. After World War II, Samaritans Purse founder
Bob Pierce traveled throughout Asia as an evangelist for Christ where he stumbled upon a group of courageous
women who were living among lepers and orphans, sacrificing everything to share the love of God. Because of
this, Pierce dedicated himself to finding and supporting other Christians who were caring for the poor and sick
across the world.
Romans 5:5 states “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (New International Version, 2011). Christian hope shines from
the eternal flame of God’s everlasting love for us. As followers of Christ, God has enrooted within us an eternal
flame of love that he wants us to shine around the world. Christian love and hope are the highest expression of
glorifying God, for they spring from a trusting heart that believes God's Word of truth by faith. By spreading this
love and hope through acts of humanitarian aid, we become exemplars of the love and hope God provides.
References:
New International Version. (2011). BibleGateway.com. https://www.biblegateway.com/
Role of faith-based organizations in humanitarian response reflection. (n.d.).
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/sites/default/files/2016-03/role-of-faith-based-organizations-in-
humanitarian-response-reflection.pdf
Schneider, S. K. (1992). Governmental Response to Disasters: The Conflict between Bureaucratic Procedures and
Emergent Norms. Public Administration Review, 52(2), 135–145. https://doi.org/10.2307/976467
Trainings in nonprofit fundraising, proposal writing, grants. (2021). Candid Learning.
https://learning.candid.org/resources/knowledge-base/ngo-definition-and-role/#:~:text=Non
%2Dgovernmental%20organizations%2C%20or%20NGOs,they%20may%20receive%20government
%20funding)
Caleb,
Sir, great post! I think you explained the role non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play in disaster management
relatively well. I’m glad that you pointed out how big of a role NGO’s play when it comes to administering
international aid. As Christians, we are taught love our neighbor and honor God in everything that we do. Better
yet, Mark 12:31 states “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other
commandment greater than these” (Bew International Version, 2011). Although we are imperfect human beings,
we should strive to live a Godly life and do what is right. Our goal should be to accept the differences of other
values, beliefs, religions, and ideologies and find ways to work and unify with them. As a world superpower, our
NGOs within our country an obligation to try and create a world where helping others in need is a standard. These
faith-based NGOs have the capacity to increase humanitarian aid effectiveness, address fragmentation of
humanitarian assistance and build capacities and relationships of trust with local leaders. NGO’s need to continue
to focus on investing in leaders of local communities that are affected by natural disasters. Additionally, they need
to continue to help countries feed themselves and care for their sick, as well as resolving and preventing conflict.
Executing this type of policy promotes a civil society that proves to be more stable, peaceful, and contributes to the
security of the United States. By investing in these communities and leaders, faith-based NGOs enhance the moral
authority of other faith-based NGOs for disaster response and recovery efforts.
Again, great post Caleb, and I wish you the best of luck the remainder of the semester.
God Bless,
Caleb
References:
New International Version. (2011). BibleGateway.com. https://www.biblegateway.com/
Trenton,
Sir, great post! I think you explained the role non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play in disaster management
relatively well. I agree with the point you make about how NGOs are focused on getting an area back on its feet
after experiencing a natural disaster. Its interesting to point out that NGO’s and anti-democratic governments don’t
cooperate relatively well. NGOs do a good job at ensuring that the pubic is aware on how politicians are using
money or whether or not they are breaking any laws. Because NGOs are so important to democracy, government
all over the world have created international rules to protect them. Treaties signed by all European governments at
the United Nations give everyone a right to create organizations, protest peacefully, and express their opinions.
NGOs are protected under Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the European Human Rights Convention which states that the
“freedom of conscience, expression, and association are all fundamental freedoms which Nation States are bound
to protect and respect (Recognition and protection of NGOs in international law, 2018, para. 8). While NGOs do
their best to provide the necessary aid to communities effected by natural or manmade disasters, they also help
democracy work properly. They do this by making it easier for people to get information about how their country is
being run. Additionally, they provide the means for the public to effectively communicate with politicians while also
ensuring that governments don’t abuse their powers. If any of these guidelines are broken, then NGOs have the
right to take governments to court. NGOs ultimately represent the whole of society because they are trying to
make sure governments stay inside of their democratic powers.
Again, great post Trenton and I wish you the best of luck the remainder of the semester.
God Bless,
Caleb
References:
Recognition and protection of NGOs in international law. ICNL. (2018, December 18).
https://www.icnl.org/resources/research/ijnl/international-developments#:~:text=The%20freedoms%20of
%20NGOs%20set,international%20human%20rights%20protection%20system
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