In the Wake of Disaster: Religious Responses To Terrorism and Catastrophe

In a timely book with a persuasive and powerful message, Dr. Harold G. Koenig addresses government policy leaders, urging that religious organisations be more fully integrated into the formal disaster response system and providing recommendations on how this can effectively be done. Koenig also urges faith communities and organisations to learn more about the role they can play in responding to disasters and terrorism. This book provides information on the psychological, social and spiritual responses to trauma. It addresses how the emergency response system works, and the role that religious communities can play in disaster response and recovery in terms of providing emotional and spiritual care for victims. It advocates integrating mental health into emergency response systems directed at those affected by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and terrorism. Increasing the resiliency of our communities in the face of disaster is crucial. Religious communities have tremendous potential to contribute to this. Here are guidelines on how to do that more effectively, alongside data on how to facilitate the integration of these contributions with the formal disaster-response system.