South Asia (MNN) ― An estimated 45 million people across India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan have been affected by flooding, many of them now homeless. The United Nations estimates at least 2,200 people have been killed in the floods, and survivors are now threatened by waterborne disease.
SIM supports several ministries of the Emmanuel Hospital Association, including Duncan Hospital in Bihar--one of the worst-affected districts in the State. SIM's Steve Strauss says, "Entire areas are completely underwater, and there's no access to anything that's not underwater. Buildings are flooded, and this is the case at the Duncan Hospital. We are trying to partner with them."
One colleague reports, "We have sent out a relief medical team to Sugauli this morning. Yesterday I visited, and the situation is very serious. At present it is raining heavily again. We are setting up the hospital as a receiving centre for pregnant women and sick children who may need to be evacuated from their homes. Some areas are only accessible by boat."
The EHA Disaster Management Team, explains Strauss, is coordinating the emergency response. "We set up a project to try to alleviate some of the immediate conditions and also help for some of the rebuilding and some of the rehabilitation that needs to be done."
Strauss urges prayer for Duncan Hospital staff and volunteers as they struggle to cope with reaching out to many people impacted by the floods. "Whether it's expatriate missionaries or Indian and Bangladeshi believers, we can make a tremendous impact when we reach out and minister to people's human needs, especially when there's a catastrophe like a flood like this. It gives us a great opportunity to reflect the love of Christ."
There is an urgent need for volunteers. Please pray for more volunteers to be raised up. Pray, too, for effective responses to minimize the suffering and impact on Bihar. Click here if you can help.
