05 August 2010
Methodists respond to Pakistan emergency
With over 1,400 people dead and three million people affected
after heavy flooding in Pakistan, the Methodist Relief and
Development Fund (MRDF) and the Methodist Church are supporting
efforts to help the survivors.
There are fears that the number of casualties and homeless will
rise as rescuers gain access to hard-to-reach areas where roads
were destroyed. Initial aerial pictures show that whole villages
have been washed away. There are also concerns that diseases such
as cholera and diarrhoea will spread as there is a limited supply
of clean water.
MRDF has set up an emergency fund and donations will be channelled
through its partner Action by Churches Together (ACT)
International, which is responding to some of the immediate needs.
This includes providing food and temporary shelter to some of the
most vulnerable communities, as well as setting up mobile health
clinics.
In an appeal for help, the Bishop of Peshawar, Rt Revd Humphrey
Peters, said: "The monsoon rains have caused havoc all over
Pakistan, but the Khyber Pakhtunkwa province has been hit hard by
the floods. Thousands of villages are under water and hundreds of
people are either dead or missing. All road links within the
Province have been cut down, relief workers are trying to reach
through boats or on foot."
In response the World Mission Fund has agreed to send an immediate
grant of £15,000 to the Diocese, which has launched an emergency
Relief and Rescue programme for more than 1300 families affected by
the floods. The Diocese is putting all its efforts into reaching
those still stranded by the floods and proving affected families
with food.
World Church Partnership Coordinator Steve Pearce said: "The Church
of Pakistan, which is a united church, is doing its utmost to
minister to as many people as it can. The Christian community is a
small minority in Pakistan and is heartened by our prompt support
and most of all by our prayer. We ask people to pray for all those
affected by this disaster, for safety and for their needs to be
met." A special prayer for use by churches and individuals is
available online
here.
Simeon Mitchell, MRDF's Fundraising Director, said: "This is the
worst flooding Pakistan has experienced in over 70 years, and has
affected a region already dealing with poverty and conflict. The
immediate priorities are getting people to places of safety and
trying to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases. In the long
term, restoring the communities and livelihoods swept away by the
floods will be a major challenge. Donations to our appeal will help
alleviate some of the suffering in the short term, and empower
people to begin rebuilding their lives."
To donate to MRDF's emergency fund, visit www.mrdf.org.uk, or call 020
7224 4814 to give by debit or credit card or by a cheque made
payable to 'MRDF (Pakistan emergency)' and sent to MRDF, 25
Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR.
Taxpayers are encouraged to gift aid their donations where
possible, adding 28p to every pound they give, at no extra personal
cost.