Churches play key role in supporting Tuvaluans to cope with COVID-19 stress

Above: A group photo of participants at the Tuvalu Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network training. Photo: Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT)

Although no cases of COVID-19 have been reported so far, the global pandemic has still had a direct impact on the small and remote population of around 11,000 in Tuvalu. Economic impacts, separation from family abroad and fear of the virus have increased stress and anxiety for everyone. This can have adverse social effects, such as spikes in violence against women and children.

A key aspect of the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) COVID-19 response in Tuvalu is being delivered in partnership with the CAN DO network, through the local church, Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT), and the EKT Women’s Fellowship, Fakapotopotoga Fafine Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (FFEKT). The church has worked to establish a national Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network (DRCN) to support community members with the stresses and impacts of COVID-19.

Psychosocial and spiritual needs are often identified by people affected by humanitarian disasters as being just as important as survival needs, and humanitarian agencies have become increasingly aware of the importance of religion in the lives of those they seek to assist.

In Tuvalu, Christianity and local churches play a central role in society and community life. At least 92% of the population identify as Christian, and 86% of these belong to the EKT church. EKT is a key presence in Tuvaluan communities before, during and after disasters, from the capital to the most remote islands.

By working through the local church, the DRCN builds upon existing community assets, social support structures, and local culture to support the wellbeing of community members and foster psychological and social recovery. This promotes individual and community resilience, especially in the context of scarce, remote and limited formal mental health services in Tuvalu.

To date, 40 church representatives across seven out of the nine islands of Tuvalu have participated in Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy training to provide coordinated support and care for people in times of disaster and major emergencies.

The training supports Chaplains to deliver psychological first aid, sharing information on fundamentals and specific protocols for crisis intervention using a combination of faith-based interventions and traditional techniques.

Topics include an understanding of the nature of disasters and emergencies, including information on formal government disaster response structures, how communities and individuals are affected by crises, an overview of the trauma response, how to care for and communicate with people in situations of trauma, ethical behaviour and conduct, and safeguarding and protection.

Above: A participant in the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network training in Tuvalu receiving their certificate of accreditation. Photo: Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT)

Sessions were also delivered on theological messages and responses to COVID-19 to support Chaplains to address misinformation, stigma and fear, as well as theological messages to support gender equality and the protection of women, children and other vulnerable people.

The Director of the Tuvalu Department of Social Welfare, who shared a presentation during the training, commented on the importance of Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy to address psychosocial and spiritual needs:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has badly affected people from every side at all levels. Governments establish taskforces as their main bodies whose function is to get abreast with any information related to the pandemic, get information on preventative measures, adaptation strategies, and so on. But scientific evidence shows there are so many uncertainties that makes this pandemic difficult and cause stress reactions in people around the globe. Many people tend to question God and ask, where is God? Why did God allow this to happen?”

“It is important to be proactive in times of disaster, and reach out to people, talk to them, and let them share their experiences, so we know when and where help is needed. People affected by disaster go through a lot, but often people don’t seek help because they don’t realise that they need therapy.”

Trained Disaster Recovery Chaplains will not only respond to COVID-19, but can be coordinated and deployed through the national DRCN to respond to future disasters that may impact Tuvalu. The EKT church is now working with the Tuvalu Government Department of Disaster Management to review the government disaster response structure and ensure that the church and DRCN are formally included.