Pakistan: As flood crisis worsens, church leaders warn of danger of Christians missing out on aid

UPDATE 10/08/2010

Up to 200,000 Christians are being affected by the floods.

An estimated 150,000-200,000 Christians may be affected by the floods in Pakistan as the victim count rises daily and the situation is rated as the worst humanitarian crisis in recent history.

The scene is increasingly desperate with the disaster zone stretching from the Swat Valley in the north to Sindh in the south, and the tally of people affected now stands at almost 14 million.
Based on the Christian population of the flood affected areas – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Punjab Province and Sindh Province – Barnabas Aid’s regional co-ordinator for South Asia estimates that between 150,000 and 200,000 believers may be affected.

The United Nations yesterday (9 August) rated the floods in Pakistan as the greatest humanitarian crisis in recent history. A spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said:

''It looks like the number of people affected in this crisis is higher than the Haiti earthquake, the tsunami or the Pakistan earthquake, and if the toll is as high as the one given by the government, it's higher than the three of them combined.''

Each of the two earthquakes, which hit Kashmir in 2005 and Haiti in January this year, affected around three million people, while there were around five million victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
As the crisis escalates, Barnabas Aid is providing further emergency funds thanks to generous and swift donations from our supporters around the world. Thousands of Christian families are receiving aid including food, water and medicine.
Our partners, like other aid workers helping in Pakistan, are struggling to reach many more who have been stranded by the flooding. Additional funds are urgently needed as the worst floods to hit Pakistan in 80 years claim continue to claim further victims.

Original article 06/08/2010

A senior church leader in Pakistan has warned that "hardly anything" from international aid packages will reach marginalised Christians affected by the worst floods to hit the country in 80 years.

The statement to Barnabas Aid from the Bishop of Peshawar comes as the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which comprises 13 aid agencies, launched a radio and TV appeal for the escalating crisis in Pakistan yesterday (5 August).

Barnabas Aid was quick to respond to the humanitarian disaster, immediately sending an initial grant of £15,125 on Monday to begin helping the thousands of Christians affected by flooding in the worst-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Punjab Province.

Devastation

Christian boy surveys the devastation caused by the flooding

Around 1,600 people have died with four million affected by the devastation after torrential monsoon rain started to fall last week. Continuing heavy downpours this week triggered further flood warnings in the north-west and around 15,000 houses were destroyed further south as the river waters surged into Punjab Province. People are now being evacuated from Sindh Province as water reaches threatening levels.

Bishop Humphrey Peters of the Church of Pakistan's Diocese of Peshawar (in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province) thanked Barnabas Aid for its support and said the minority Christian population would otherwise receive "hardly anything" from international aid packages.

He said:

"We are indebted to Barnabas Aid who are always the first ones to extend practical support.
"I am personally visiting the affected areas. Our Christians, who are already deprived and marginalized, are in pathetic conditions. They have lost almost everything in their houses; they could only save their lives.

"Soon after the emergency phase that might last for a couple of months, the most important will be the rehabilitation. We are sure that some countries will come forward with aid packages, but hardly anything will reach the minority Christians. Do keep us in your special prayers."

Yunis Lal Din, leader of the Fellowship of Brethren Churches in Pakistan, told Barnabas Aid yesterday:

"The situation is desperate with many families having lost their homes and possessions. Many Christians were already in poor circumstances and are now doubly affected and do not know where to find help. Barnabas Aid is the first and only organisation so far that has sent funds and provided help for their needs. . .
"It is great to know that brothers and sisters care so much in this time of national crisis. Thank you."

Discrimination

Christians comprise around 2.5-3 per cent (4-5 million people) of the population in Pakistan. They face widespread discrimination, are despised by their Muslim neighbours, and the majority of Christians live in extreme poverty. Islamisation is gathering strength in Pakistan and sharia law has been partially implemented. Last year saw an unprecedented number of violent incidents against Christian communities. In such a context, Christians are likely to be neglected when general aid is distributed.

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Aid, said:

"We greatly welcome the appeal by the DEC to help those affected by the devastating flooding in Pakistan but we would urge Christians to particularly bear in mind their marginalised brothers and sisters when considering their own giving. Barnabas Aid channels money exclusively from Christians through Christians to Christians who desperately need our help.

"They urgently need our assistance now and, looking to the future, will require long-term help to rebuild their homes and shattered lives."

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