23 August 2010: New flood threat in the south brings new challenges

Thousands of people left their homes in southern Pakistan over the weekend in response to a new flood threat. This new wave of displaced people has further increased the need for food and cooking fuel. Trees and dry wood are rapidly vanishing from the region, resulting in a scarcity of firewood.

The OM team in the south has observed that people’s need for cooked food is now more urgent than dry goods. They have responded by providing more cooked food, along with sandals, clothes and crockery. Looking ahead, one team member commented, “Our best hope is to help people to resettle in their homes as soon as they can.”

Medical camps in the north
The team in the north has remained busy working alongside a mobile medical clinic arranged in partnership with the local church. Two hundred children and women were treated and received medicine. Most of them suffered from stomach diseases, eye and skin infections and fever. Although flood waters are subsiding, diseases are spreading.

One volunteer said, “We do not want to save people with food and let them die with diseases. We are planning to further encourage the local Church to continue this effort.”

To date, OM teams have provided aid to 1,745 families in flood-affected regions of Pakistan.

Encouragement in the midst of chaos
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with the widespread devastation and desperate needs caused by the monsoon floods. After three weeks of strenuous relief efforts, the OM teams have been encouraged by some positive outcomes of their hard work.

The team in Sindh saw that those who received food packets from them are doing well. The previous evening, several team members went to spend time with some affected people. The people recognized them and invited the team to eat and drink with them.

One team leader commented, “Many of the regular meal receivers have become our friends and regard our aid as the best available. We believe that this is all for the glory of God. One day, many will come to Christ.”

Another source of encouragement has come from the local media. A pastor in a nearby town phoned the team with the news that a local Sindhi newspaper had published an article about their relief activities. The article pointed out that the aid came from Christians and the team’s relief efforts were commended as being the best.

Prayer Points
• The flood-damaged roads and continuing rain make travelling to remote areas in the north very difficult. Please pray for safety while the team travel to remote areas to provide help to people.
• Please pray for strength and energy for the 20 team members who are working very long hours to help hundreds of families on a daily basis. Especially pray for the new volunteers who have no previous experience of relief work.

OM’s role in the Church is to mobilise people to share the knowledge of Jesus and His love with every generation in every nation. OM pioneers and leads initiatives to redeem lives, rebuild communities and restore hope in over 110 countries.