Paper short abstract:

Social vulnerability is one of the major causes for experiencing social disasters following extreme natural events. This paper presents coping strategies from within the most vulnerable (African American religious/spiritual) communities in New Orleans at their present state and in the aftermath of Katrina.

Paper long abstract:

The expression ‘natural disaster’ is paradox. Nature can provide a trigger for a disaster, but society is – at least to a great extent – responsible for the consequences. Most works (for example Mitchell 2006 or Warner 2007) come to the conclusion that social disadvantage/vulnerability is one of the major causes for a higher risk factor, especially in modern and urban areas. Numerous research projects about the coping with social disasters following extreme natural events were and are undertaken, almost all of which have their focus on institutionalized resilience building, which means the work by government and non-government organizations. We learn a lot about external support, but very little about internal strategies from within the parts of the society who are the most vulnerable and most exposed to disasters.