Monsoon Flooding Ravages Pakistan
05 August 2010
Government forces and aid agencies struggle to care for the more than 3 million people affected by this year’s monsoon floods in Pakistan. Meteorologists forecast further rains and flash flooding across the north of the country. Swollen rivers move southward, overflowing their banks, washing away homes and crops along the way. The Pakistani government expects rebuilding efforts to take at least six months. Already 1,400 people are reported to have died in the flooding.
With their homes and belongings gone, people are in need of food, clean water, shelter, and medicine. The high water levels promote the spread of illness. Cases of cholera have already been reported in some parts of the country and further outbreaks are feared.
The Church of the Nazarene is active in Pakistan. Three of the Child Development Centers have been badly affected, as have four church-type missions and three churches. Local pastors and leaders report that 2,000-2,500 families in Nazarene communities are in need of assistance.
Pakistani Nazarenes are responding to their neighbors’ needs. They have begun collecting blankets, clothes, dry food, grains, rice, milk, flour, sugar, tea, and emergency medicines to be distributed to victims of the flooding. Plans are being made for reconstruction of destroyed homes and shelters. A counseling program for children from the worst hit areas will also be started to help them cope with this trauma.
The church in Pakistan is asking for prayer and financial support in responding to this great need. Please pray for those affected and those helping in the relief efforts. We ask you to prayerfully consider how else you might come alongside our brothers and sisters in this difficult time.
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