How can churches support in case of disaster?

In the frame-work of the Africa Regional joint programs of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), the workshop on disaster management was held in Douala-Cameroon, hosted by the Evangelical Church of Cameroon (ECC) from October 4^th -7^th 2023.  Participants were from UEM member churches in Africa. The aim of this workshop was to enhance the churches’ skills, knowledge and increased confidence, moreover enable participants to understand manmade and natural disasters’ preparedness, mitigation & Management activities for effective response and recovery.

 

The workshop was an opportunity for all participants to share knowledge and experiences from their respective churches and countries during disasters. It was an open discussion for sharing, learning and listening to what other participants encountered in their respective context and the challenges they face when a disaster strikes. Participants have been discussing disaster management; its impact on the society and how the church can respond. Their effects in relation to human, social, natural, physical and financial capital were mentioned.

 

During the discussions, a number of initiatives from different churches were shared by the participants indicating church involvement in managing and responding to disasters as part of accompanying the people. Field visits were organised by the Evangelical Church of Cameroon to Mambanda 1 to learn more of the challenges people are going through in-terms of housing and sanitation. Some of the initiatives appreciated and acknowledged the unwavering support from UEM members and other actors both local and international.

 

Out of discussion, the participants had consensus regarding the need to understand disaster at global and local context. Therefore encouraging each member church to define disasters in their own understanding.  Also raising awareness in churches and communities on disaster management as well as to encourage churches to initiate and set up their own financial reserves as contingency.

 

As a way forward, participants to the workshop suggested recommendations in different areas of interventions on disaster management in preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. “Raising awareness in the church and communities on disaster management is a necessary theme to include in each church’s activity”, committed participants.