The case for a theology of disaster risk management

Abstract

Pacific Island communities are among the most disaster prone on earth. The churches in these communities have a pervasive social role and a wide geographic footprint, and it therefore makes good sense to engage them in better preparing their communities for disasters. That said, there are a variety of pre-existing religious beliefs about disasters, some of which are antithetical to proactive disaster risk management. Important theological research is being undertaken to map existing beliefs. This research will then help inform an indigenous and systematic theology of disaster risk management. The goal is to reduce death and destruction from foreseeable events, giving the research a special relevancy.