Rev Thomas Kemper said: “As United Methodists and as Christians, we do not “put our theology on the shelf” to respond to disasters. We put our theology to work!” As Rabbi Myrna Matsa observes: “The people of God accept in perpetuity the message of Leviticus 19:2: ‘You shall be holy because I the Lord your God am holy’ and holiness means to nurture the earth, care for humanity, and leave the world in a better condition than the way we found it.” (Jewish Theology of Disaster Response and Recovery).

Disaster relief challenges us to find ways to embody a theology of touch and a theology of presence. Both of these approaches ask us to bring our bodies into the space of people who are hurting. A Theology of touch forces us out of our comfortable offices into spaces in the physical proximity of pain and trauma. A theology of presence requires us to not only manage disasters in a long-arm approach but to pitch up when everyone else runs out. We are not firefighters, but we are first responders in organising and managing the spaces around disasters.

SUFFERING
The broader church is called to engage people suffering, especially in the light of disaster striking unexpectedly and with detrimental effects. Suffering is sometimes a symptom of this broken world, often caused or influenced by our own bad decisions: violence, bad habits of pollution and disregard for our environment, crime and abuse. In other circumstances, we are just at the wrong place and time. God
does not cause suffering; he is present with hurting people.

BIBLICAL MANDATE FOR CARE
Being part of the broader church, we are all called to Love and Serve. Jesus commandS to love one’s neighbour (Matthew 22:39) and the call to serve thE “least of these” (Matthew 25:40) are front of mind. Some Old Testament examples are when the Israelites were called to care for strangers and the marginalised (Leviticus 19:9-10), reflecting God’s justice and mercy. This calls on us to act just and merciful in all circumstances, especially when people are desperate.

UNITY
Being part of the broader church, we are called to build unity. Disasters present as an excellent opportunity for churches and faith organisations to take hands to allow the Body of Christ to function in its fullest. The Church in its broader sense, is a community that should bear one another's burdens, but also the burdens of the world (Galatians 6:2).

ECUMENISM
We have an opportunity to encourage collaboration among different denominations to pool resources, skills and efforts in order to manage an effective disaster response.

HOLISTIC RESPONSE
In a disaster relief context, we can respond holistically, focusing on the physical needs (food, shelter, medical care) and spiritual needs (hope, counselling) of disaster victims. Spiritual support can be provided through prayer, counselling, and community gatherings, aiding in emotional and spiritual healing.

LONG-TERM RECOVERY
There is a need for sustainable recovery efforts that empower individuals and communities, apart from focusing on providing immediate aid.

HOPE AND RESILIENCE
In the midst of disaster, the church is uniquely positioned to provide hope and resilience for individuals and communities facing disasters (Romans 15:13).

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND ADVOCACY
-Equality and Justice: The church is uniquely positioned to advocate for equitable aid distribution, ensuring marginalised communities receive the necessary assistance.
-Cultural Sensitivity: We should always practice values like respect for the different cultures and contexts of disaster-affected communities.
-Voice for the Voiceless: The Church is positioned as an advocate for social justice, urging government and agencies to improve disaster response mechanisms and policies.
-Address Root Causes: We can encourage congregations to engage in discussions about the underlying causes of vulnerability, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

PREPARATION AND PREVENTION
-Proactive Measures: We are called to encourage churches to engage in disaster preparedness and risk reduction strategies as part of their ministry.
-Education and Resources: We can promote educating congregations about local risks and the importance of being prepared. Joseph’s 7 years of preparation is referred to as “Disaster mitigation”. Partnerships with NGOs and Government
-Collaborate with Experts: The Church should encourage partnerships with experienced organisations, both church-based and secular, to enhance the effectiveness of disaster relief efforts.
-Integration with Local Efforts: We can work alongside local authorities and communities to ensure that responses are contextually relevant and effective.

THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION AND LEARNING
-Ongoing Dialogue: We should promote continuous theological reflection on the Church’s role in disaster relief, learning from experiences and adapting practices.
-Testimonies and Stories: We can share stories of hope and recovery as a testament to God’s faithfulness, fostering community and inspiring future efforts.
-Enhancing Kingdom principles to make the Kingdom visible through church unity. The witness of the church of Christ working together is a powerful metaphor for unity.