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Baptists reach out after flood in Pakistan, Afghanistan

Southern Baptist disaster relief workers are assessing needs in the aftermath of flooding that killed more than 1,400 people and affected at least 3 million more in northwest Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, reports Baptist Press.

Southern Baptists have released an initial $20,000 in disaster relief funds through Baptist Global Response, an international relief and development organization, to provide food and temporary shelter to assist in the relief effort.

The flooding, which was caused by monsoon rains, "has been a devastating disaster to the people in northwest Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan," said Francis Horton, who with his wife, Angie, directs Baptist Global Response work in Central and South Asia. "We continue to communicate with people on the ground to quickly determine the most effective ways we can help."

Baptist Global Response will use the assessment to coordinate emergency relief efforts that could include additional food distribution, temporary shelter, water purification and other possible needs.

The United Nations World Food Program estimates 1.8 million people are in need of immediate food aid and the imminent threat of more torrential rain raises the specter of more flooding that could leave thousands more destitute. Waterborne disease such as cholera and the likelihood of infections are complicating recovery efforts and raising possibilities of an impending health crisis.

Access to the area is hindered due to washed out roads and the loss of dozens of bridges. Relief officials also are concerned that floodwaters will spread to major food producing areas, wiping out crops close to harvest.

"We are certainly concerned for the well-being of the people in this area," Horton said. "Our desire is to help as quickly as possible in the most effective ways."

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TAGS: USA Pakistan Afghanistan Southern Baptists disaster relief workers flooding

[08/07/2010]

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