Local Faith Communities and the Promotion of Resilience in Contexts of Humanitarian Crisis
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Date
2015-03Author
Ager, J.
Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, E.
Ager, Alastair
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Ager, J., Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, E. & Ager, A. (2015) Local Faith Communities and the Promotion of Resilience in Contexts of Humanitarian Crisis, Journal of Refugee Studies, vol. 28, , pp. 202-221,
Abstract
The potential role of local faith communities (LFCs) in promoting resilience in contexts of humanitarian crisis has, despite recent policy interest, been a neglected area of study. This article reports on a structured review of evidence regarding such contributions based on an analysis of 302 publications and reports, supplemented by 11 written submissions from humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and 10 stakeholder interviews. Analysis is structured with respect to three major humanitarian processes-disaster risk reduction; emergency response; and facilitating transitional and durable solutions-relevant to the promotion of resilience in populations that are displaced, at risk of displacement or refugee-impacted. Major themes emerging from the analysis concern: the diversity of stakeholder perspectives on the presence and influence of LFCs on local humanitarian response; the resources-material and non-material-potentially made available through LFCs to crisis-affected communities; and the opportunities-and substantive challenges-for greater LFC partnership with humanitarian organizations.