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Act of God?

Overcoming fatalism and taking action to reduce the risk of disaster in Pakistan

Written by Jamshed Gill 2024

Leaders of different religions and denominations stand together by a newly planted tree.

Faith leaders in Pakistan plant a tree to illustrate their joint commitment to building peace and community resilience. Photo: Jamshed Gill/Tearfund

Two Nepalese women dressed in bright traditional clothing fill large storage containers with grain as a group of other women from their community watch. A large, steep mountain with some houses is behind them.

From: Reducing the risk of disaster - Footsteps 122

How to build individual and community resilience so that disasters are less likely to happen

Fatalism is the belief that we cannot change the future. It can lead to people accepting problems rather than trying to solve them.

In many parts of the world, it is common for people to hold fatalistic views about events such as droughts, storms or earthquakes. People often believe they are 'acts of God' or 'acts of nature' and that there is little or nothing that can be done about them.

However, a hazard such as an earthquake only turns into a disaster if people are unable to cope with its impacts. Perhaps because they are living in houses that are not earthquake-resistant, or because they do not know what to do when the shaking starts. These are things that can be changed if they are thought about in advance.

Pakistan

Pakistan is prone to numerous hazards including earthquakes, floods, droughts and storms. Over the past ten years, more than 50 million people have been affected by disasters, with damage totalling more than US$24 billion.

Tearfund is supporting churches in the country to lead the way in reducing the risk of disaster.

When working with Christian partners and churches, the starting point is to address fatalism through in-depth Bible studies. This is followed by teaching on stewardship, creation care and disaster mitigation and preparedness. This has been a very successful approach, and it is now being repeated as a certified course with about 10,000 Bible students in different parts of the country.

As understanding has grown, so too has action:

  • During the Covid-19 pandemic, clear, accurate information provided by churches about the virus, vaccination and care for others was so powerful that people who were hoarding food and other materials decided to share them with families who were struggling.
  • To reduce the risk of climate-related disasters, churches and theological organisations have planted thousands of trees across the country.
  • In 2022, the Pentecostal Churches in Faisalabad raised PKR 300,000 ($1,075) to help Catholic families affected by flooding. This was an encouraging example of ecumenical harmony in a country where denominational barriers are often hard to cross.
  • In 2023, during the Jaranwala emergency in which 31 churches were vandalised and hundreds of houses damaged, the churches in Faisalabad raised PKR 500,000 ($1,800) to support those affected. They also established interfaith harmony networks to build better relationships between faiths.
  • Several churches now have disaster supply checklists, emergency response plans and disaster response teams. They are also liaising with the National Disaster Management Authority. Some have introduced a church 'Go-Kit' containing items essential for holding worship remotely during disasters and emergencies.

Prior to the Bible studies and teaching, the Pakistani church was not prepared to respond like this during disasters and emergencies. The church in Pakistan is now addressing the root causes of many forms of poverty and disaster, and is increasingly being recognised for its positive impact in society.

Learn more

Transforming churches and communities: Strengthening preparedness: Bible studies, teaching and activities to equip churches as they work with their local communities to reduce the risk of disaster

Disasters and the local church e-learning: A self-led online course on how to mobilise and engage the local church in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery

How beliefs impact disasters: Exploring how our beliefs influence our response to disasters

Written by

Written by  Jamshed Gill

Jamshed Gill is Tearfund’s Church, Community and Influencing Lead in Pakistan

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