Worst Flooding in Living Memory Across Asia

Thursday, August 9, A.D. 2007

According to a statment from the United Nations, recent flooding in southern and central Asia has been the “worst in living memory. The sheer size and scale of flooding and the massive number of people affected pose an unprecedented challenge to the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian assistance.”

In India, some 45 million people have been affected by the flooding and more than 350 have died. Tens of thousands of people are camped out in makeshift relief centers. Receding flood waters and rising temperatures are raising concerns about disease outbreaks. Clean water, medicines, food and emergency shelter are among the relief items urgently needed.

Long-time Disciples and Church World Service partner and Action by Churches Together member, Churches Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), is responding to 17,500 of the most vulnerable families affected in five Indian states (Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh). CASA’s response includes the provision of cooked food; relief sets of clothing, blankets, tarpaulin sheets, dry rations and water purification tablets; and initial assistance for the repair/construction of huts.

In China, 5.4 million people have been affected by floods across the southwestern, central and eastern parts of the country. More than 330 people have died. Long-time Disciples and CWS partner and ACT member, the Amity Foundation, is now providing assistance to 5000 vulnerable families with rice, quilts, sheets and mosquito nets.

And in Pakistan, Church World Service is implementing a major relief effort in the flood-stricken southern part of the country, where more than 2 million people are affected and some 300,000 homes have been destroyed. CWS is assisting 20,000 families with medical assistance, hygiene kits, home reconstruction materials, psychosocial care, and clean water.

Major appeals from Church World Service and Action by Churches Together for the floods have been issued for Pakistan, India and China. An appeal from church partners in Bangladesh is anticipated, as millions of people there have also been affected. Week of Compassion is responding to all three appeals on behalf of the Christian Church.

WOC Faces High Number of Humanitarian Appeals

These three major flood appeals, with more possibly to come, along with the recently issued appeals for Iraqi refugees and displaced Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, the ongoing appeal for Darfur and numerous responses to congregations and church partners in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas after some of the worst flooding there in decades, have seriously stretched Week of Compassion resources. Indeed, the last few weeks have been some of the busiest ever for WOC. In July, WOC responded to a disaster emergency request once every day, and things haven’t slowed in August. Contributions from Disciples members and friends are needed and would be most timely. Gifts can be made online or sent directly to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, P.O. Box 1986, Indpls, IN 46206.

CWS "Gift of the Heart" Kits Needed

This recent spate of disasters also serves as a good reminder that Church World Service’s stock of “Gift of the Heart” kits is very low. The need for school kits is especially urgent. Information and details are available on the WOC website.

WOC Director Visits Hurricane Mission Stations

WOC Director Johnny Wray is currently visiting some of the Disciples hurricane recovery mission stations along the Gulf Coast. The spirit of our stations, hosting congregations and site managers remains strong. Much recovery work remains to be done; our greatest need is for additional volunteer work groups, especially for the fall and winter. To learn more about the two-year Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, visit the WOC website or contact Tod Iseminger (tiseminger@dhm.disciples.org) in the Office of Disciples Volunteering. Also, complimentary copies of the new WOC hurricane recovery video, “In the Eye of the Recovery”, are available. Contact Elaine at ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.

WOC Map/Poster

Click here for the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster. For a complimentary copy of the map/poster for your congregation, call the office at 317.713.2442 or send an e-mail to ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.