Press Release: New Version: App Equips Crisis Responders to Better Help Religious Americans
New York, June 4, 2025: As disasters and public health emergencies grow in frequency and complexity, the demand for religiously and culturally competent crisis care has never been greater. In response, the Disasters & Religions App has been redesigned and relaunched with an expanded set of tools—most notably, a new prayers module specifically for chaplains and spiritual care providers.
Originally released in 2020, the app quickly became a trusted resource for increasing religious literacy and competency among voluntary organizations active in disaster as well as professionals across hospitals, emergency management, public safety, and public health—earning a 5-star rating. With its updated design and expanded content, the app now features nearly 400 prayers from 24 religious traditions, organized around 16 life-event and crisis-relevant themes including healing, death, birth, hope, and mealtime blessings. Many of these prayers are presented in English and Spanish, or alongside their original prayer languages, supporting multilingual care delivery.
Co-creators Brie Loskota and Peter Gudaitis emphasize that this redesign was driven by a need for real-world usability and. “We developed these tools to equip our nation’s disaster and first responders—whether chaplains, emergency managers, health workers, or volunteers—with what they need to serve survivors and victim’s families affected by disasters and public health emergencies in the most competent and compassionate way possible,” said Loskota, a national faith-based thought leader. Gudaitis, who serves as Executive Director & CEO of New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) and President of the National Disaster Interfaith Network (NDIN), added, “The diversity of America’s religious landscape demands tools that are both practical and respectful of the crisis needs of all communities and people of faith.”
This expanded app is not only a resource, but also a reflection of how faith communities serve as essential partners in disaster response. Dr. Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith America, noted that “understanding the particularities of America’s religious diversity is essential to effective interfaith cooperation, especially in times of crisis.” He emphasized that faith institutions often act as “trusted anchors within affected populations,” and that tools like this app provide the knowledge and insight needed for responders to engage those communities with care and competency.
For spiritual care providers, the app serves as both a practical toolkit and a bridge of compassion. “Sensitivity during critical moments is essential—and prayer is vital in the life of people of faith,” said Dr. Naomi Paget, BCC, Chair of the Emotional & Spiritual Care Committee of National VOAD representing the Southern Baptist Convention, and an FBI Chaplain. “This app will bridge the gap between care providers and impacted people during some of life’s most difficult moments, offering a resource that helps provide the best services possible when people need them most.”
The app continues to meet the needs of local officials, nonprofit leaders, and others charged with coordinating community-based disaster response. Marcus T. Coleman Jr., former Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (2021–2024), stressed the app’s long-term value in strengthening relationships across sectors: “While systems that support people before, during, and after disasters continue to evolve, the importance of building genuine relationships with faith communities remains unchanged. This app is a crucial tool for emergency managers, community-based organizations, and anyone supporting diverse faith leaders in disaster response and recovery.”
The app’s accessibility is particularly meaningful to communities underserved in spiritual care planning. The Most Rev. Dr. David Guadalupe, EJ, Bishop of the Missionary Lutheran Church, President of Puerto Rico VOAD, and Chair of the National VOAD Board of Directors, shared his personal and professional appreciation: “National VOAD is proud to partner with NDIN and NYDIS on the Disasters & Religions App, now enriched with 400 disaster-related prayers—including many in Spanish. As a Latino, I’m especially moved to see prayers in our native language—this demonstrates the spiritual depth of America’s Spanish-speaking communities. This is more than an app—it’s a bridge of compassion and hope in times of crisis.”
Religious leaders can also make use of the extensive resources available in the app to guide their congregations in planning for, responding to, and recovering from disasters, public health emergencies and other crises – including how to serve as a shelter, ways to appropriately support children following a traumatic event, and what to do in response to an active shooter or the outbreak of a communicable disease.
The Disasters & Religions App is available for free via iOS and Android, offering vital tools for anyone committed to readiness, response, recovery or spiritually responsive crisis care.
Special thanks to the authors and contributors of the hundreds of prayers in this new module. And, to the National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Emotional & Spiritual Care Committee and the contributions of their members.
About the App:
The Disasters and Religions App was created to promote religious literacy and competency in disaster and crisis settings, ensuring that emergency and human services professionals and chaplains can provide inclusive, effective, and culturally aware support. Developed in consultation with faith leaders, chaplains, academics, and emergency professionals, the app is a project of New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) and the National Disaster Interfaith Network (NDIN) – and now, the National VOAD Emotional & Spiritual Care Committee. It continues to evolve to meet the spiritual and practical needs of communities navigating man-made and natural disasters.
Contact:
Peter B. Gudaitis, M.Div.
Executive Director & CEO, NYDIS
917-449-8605 or [email protected]