Methodists raise nearly £20,000 in a week for Pakistan flood appeal

An appeal launched by the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) has raised nearly £20,000 in a week after devastating floods hit Pakistan.

The funds will help to support some of the people affected by the disaster, along with a £15,000 grant sent by the World Mission Fund to the Peshawar Diocese. The United Nations is warning of a second wave of death, disease and food shortages. Over 1,600 people have already died and 14 million have been affected by the flooding.

Donations to MRDF’s appeal are helping to provide food packages to families in the Swat Valley and Kohistan Districts, some of the worst affected by the flooding. The packages include flour, rice, cooking oil and pulses. Gifts will also help to buy winterised tents and plastic sheets. Vulnerable families in the Swat Valley and Mansehra Districts will have access to medical attention, thanks in part to MRDF’s appeal. Three mobile health clinics have been set up in these areas. MRDF is working through its emergency partner in the region, Action by Church Together (ACT) International.

The grant sent by the World Mission Fund is supporting an emergency relief and rescue programme for more than 1,300 families affected by the floods. The Diocese of Peshawar is putting all its efforts into reaching those still stranded by the floods and providing affected families with food.

Steve Pearce, partnership coordinator for the World Church, said, "It is difficult to imagine suffering on this scale and in response we can only pray and support those who are offering physical help. I know Methodists will do both effectively. Our partner Church in Peshawar is working with the Christian and Hindu minorities as well as the Muslim majority in the region and keeping in close contact with us. Please pray for Bishop Humphrey as he leads them."

MRDF Director Kirsty Smith said, "The torrential rains have had a catastrophic effect on so many communities.  It looks likely to affect even more people in the long-term than those affected by the Asian tsunami. Our emergency fund gives us - and the people who have donated to it - the opportunity to provide swift and tangible assistance to people in the midst of this crisis. We are very grateful to everyone who has given, and we intend to support as many people as we can in the immediate and longer-term."

To donate to MRDF’s emergency fund, visit www.mrdf.org.uk, or call 020 7224 4814 to give by debit or credit card. Alternatively send a cheque made payable to MRDF (Pakistan emergency) to MRDF, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR.

You can also download a prayer from the Methodist Church website written in response to the disaster.

Methodists support relief work in China following landslide

A torrential downpour of rain triggered a landslide in Zhouqu, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Region in Gansu Province on 7 August. According to the rescue headquarters, by 12 August, 1,117 are reported death and 627 are still missing. Late on 12 August more torrential rain hit Zhouqu causing another landslide and the news is that three more people are reported missing and the 'life passage' which had been broken through the landslide is blocked again.

The Methodist Church’s partner in China is the Amity Foundation, an independent Chinese NGO (non governmental organisation) with a Christian basis. It already has personnel present in the town, assessing and meeting needs. A grant of £10,000 from the Methodist Church’s World Mission Fund has been given to Amity Foundation. The grant is an expression of solidarity and goes towards Amity’s ability to commit to longer-term recovery work.

A prayer for the people of the area is available in English and Chinese on the Methodist website.