Photo via teamworld.org

Taliban poses new threat to foreign aid workers in Pakistan

A month after monsoons swept Pakistan and left miles of muddy water in their wake, the waters in northern Pakistan are finally receding. However, foreign aid workers there are immediately facing another challenge: the Taliban is demanding they leave the country or risk attack, reports MNN.

Dave Davis of The Evangelical Alliance Mission said the threat is both serious and credible: "I think it's a real threat; it hasn't materialized yet in terms of an actual attack on aid workers. Probably the further north you go, the more realistic the threat is. I think it's also an intimidation tactic to slow down the involvement of foreigners."

But Davis said foreign workers are already limited in the scope of aid they can give, as bridges and roads across the country have been destroyed. So the only way to reach trapped victims amidst the devastation is by air or on foot.

Pakistani nationals are pitching in up North, but they can only do so much without international aid.

To top it off, though waters are receding, the medical needs of Pakistan increase as the hundreds of thousands of animals killed by the flood waters could spread diseases rapidly.

However, Davis said TEAM is using the opportunity to form deeper relationships in the communities they were already serving, as well as in new areas. Such relationships may open up opportunities to share Christ and His love in the future.

In the meantime, join TEAM in prayer against the Taliban's threats: "Pray that this threat, that creates a very insecure situation, is minimal."

Davis said if these threats continue to limit foreign workers in Pakistan, TEAM will need funds to supply their current team as well as to train more national teams. Also, TEAM is considering organizing a medical team to help combat the water borne diseases already cropping up.

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TAGS: Pakistan foreign aid workers Taliban monsoons floods Evangelical Alliance Mission persecution

[08/30/2010]

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