Case Study of a Faith-Based Organization in Long-term Disaster-relief Work : Konkokyo and the Noto Peninsula Earthquake of 2024

チョウキテキ　ナ　サイガイ　ボランティア　カツドウ　ヲ　オコナウ　シュウキョウ　カンレン　ソシキ　ノ　ジレイ　ケンキュウ　カツドウ　ヲ　ケイゾク　スル　タメ　ノ　ソシキ　ノ　セイシツ　ニ　チャクモク　シテ

Chen, Zhongdao

災害ボランティア

長期的なボランティア

組織

性質

religion

disaster volunteer

a long-term volunteer

organization

property

This study aimed to clarify the properties necessary for a faith-based organization to sustain long-term disaster-relief work. To identify these properties, the researcher conducted participant observation within a volunteer team of Konkokyo-a Shinto sect with origins in Shinbutsu-shūgō beliefs that founded in 1859-focusing on the initiation of volunteer work after the Noto peninsula Earthquake of 2024, and analyzing the results. The study shows that in order to carry out long-term disaster-relief work, the organization worked to gain independence and diversity by coordinating with the other similarly-participating organizations and individuals based on altruistic networking. In working collaboratively, it also gained flexibility by keeping a ‘somewhat distant relationship’ with the headquarters of Konkokyo. Furthermore, the study also shows that these properties were enhanced by the organization’s ethos which focused on the support of disaster victims.