Christian Groups Responding to Desperate Calls of Quake Survivors
Although Tuesday marks the last of the three days of mourning declared by the Pakistani government, survivors of the worst earthquake in Pakistan’s history continue to mourn for the deaths of families and friends and are desperately imploring for aid
Although Tuesday marks the last of the three days of mourning declared by the Pakistani government, survivors of the worst earthquake in Pakistan’s history continue to mourn for the deaths of families and friends and are desperately imploring for aid.
As the death toll for the south Asia earthquake rose yet again to more than 30,000 in Pakistan, 999 in India and one reported death in Afghanistan, survivors of the disaster are desperate for aid.
“They’ve lost everything. They have no clothes, no food, nothing,” said resident Asim Butt to Reuters.
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Moreover, survivors that have been rescued from underneath crumbled buildings such as the 2-year-old girl and her mother on Monday, require immediate medical attention.
In response to the desperate calls for help, Christian relief organizations – many of which having branch offices in the surrounding vicinities of the affected areas – are quickly mobilizing.
Christian Aid, for instance, was able to coordinate a large-scale rescue operation by working with indigenous missionaries already on the scene at some of the affected areas. Sarla Mahara, South Asia director of Christian Aid, immediately contacted several indigenous ministries in Pakistan following the earthquake.
“We have been working day and night to support the victims. Emergency relief booths have been opened around the country,” a Christian ministry leader in Pakistan told Christian Aid.
World Vision (WV) is another faith-based organization that had staffs already in the region. WV stated that it had “been active recently in smaller scale relief responses” in the North West Frontier Province in Pakistan, where an estimated 3 million people have been affected.
Salvation Army has also reported that it has offered assistance through emergency equipments, food, clothing, and tents. In addition, its International Headquarters has made $60,000 immediately available for relief work in the Pakistan territories.
World Concern, Medical Assistance Programs International, Food for the Hungry, Action by Churches Together and its partners, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief are also among the Christian groups mobilizing efforts to help victims of the earthquake.
“This is the time to join hands to help our nation. Your contributions and prayers will be highly appreciated,” said the ministry leader to Christian Aid.
