Local Faith Communities and Responses to Displacement

Abstract

Local faith communities often assist displaced people, from acting as first responders to long-term support. Given that local faith communities are critical local civil society actors, there has been relatively little attention paid to them by other international humanitarian actors. Overly simplistic interpretation of their roles in displacement confine faith communities to stereotypes of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ local response. To demonstrate some of the nuance and complexity behind the role of local faith communities and their forms of resistance, Trotta and Wilkinson extensively review the literature to show how local faith communities are involved in responses to displacement from assisting people on the move, to arrival and reception, and long-term solutions.