How do religious ties shape the way people help each other in times of crisis?

In this eight episode, we explore the role of faith in everyday humanitarianism. Drawing on research from Kilosa, Tanzania, we examine how individual religious actors—rather than large organizations—mobilize aid in the face of floods and other disasters.

To discuss this, our host Alex Maxelon is joined by Dr. Lucas Kitula, Assistant Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam and researcher at EHTZ. His recent PhD research focused on religious giving in disaster-affected communities, exploring how faith-based values influence everyday acts of care and solidarity.

For a deeper dive into the themes of this episode, we recommend:

📖 Kitula, L. S., & Mhando, N. E. (2024). The Impact of Religious Influence on Humanitarianism: Evidence from Local Communities Affected by Floods in Kilosa, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Population Studies and Development, 31(1).

This podcast is part of the Everyday Humanitarianism in Tanzania (EHTZ) research project—a collaboration between universities in Denmark and Tanzania. Funded by Danida and led by Professor Lisa Ann Richey, the project explores how ordinary people engage in humanitarian action. Learn more at everydayhumanitarianismintanzania.org. 

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!