Flood Ravaged Christians of Kasur Desperate for Food and Clean Water
By Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service (jeremyreynalds@gmail.com)
LONDON (ANS. AUG. 23)
The British Pakistani Christian Association’s Naveed Aziz, its
Pakistan officer, visited Kasur to meet with victims of the massive
deluge in Pakistan earlier this month.
According to a news release
from the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), Christians
living there have received no help from the Government of Pakistan or
any charities.
They have been affected by
the Pakistan floods every year since 2010, and yet no disaster recovery
plan or infrastructure has been put in place to enhance their safety or
security.
BPCA said its work was
delayed due to its officer first traveling to Layyah and Gilgit, both
areas where all the Christian communities have survived and remain
unscathed.
Government agencies and
Muslim charities have set up tents and are providing clean water, food
and medical aid to these regions. That can’t be said for the Christians
of Kasur.
BPCA said when Aziz arrived,
he immediately noticed the disheveled existence of the communities in
the area. Victims had lost most of their possessions, which had been
washed away with their homes or irretrievably ruined by water damage.
Speaking in the news release
Aziz said, “I was shocked at the immense devastation before me. It was a
lot to take in. People are in real desperation and children are
starving. I am surprised and shocked at the lack of help from Pakistani
authorities.”
Aziz spoke to local residents and was encouraged by their bravery and resilience.
He said they spoke of their
faith in God, and their belief that He would find provisions for them.
The families had been working together to arrange boats to get people to
safety during the floods. Since its dissipation, they returned to find
much of their livestock and crops have not survived.
According to BPCA Aziz said,
“Although they are worried about how they will see themselves through
this lean spell, they have placed their trust in God. There is a
desperate need for clean water, and we have asked for the funders of our
Jaranwala pump project to allow us to build a clean water pump for the
community as they have none.”
In the meanwhile, Aziz said,
the group has only raised £220 from its flood appeal. He added, “This is
woefully short of the level we need and we call urgently on our
faithful supporters to please give to this necessary work. This
community needs food, clean water, medical support and new clothes and
furniture. Many have lost their mud homes and we need to help build new
properties.”
For some downtrodden families
the whole devastation was simply too much, BPCA reported Aziz said.
Feeling without options, they have given up their freedom and signed
(with a thumb print) bonded labor contracts just for food and shelter.
Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of
the BPCA, said in the news release, “My heart bleeds for this community,
young children are starving and families choose to sell them selves
into slavery for survival, illustrating that humanity has left the
nation of Pakistan. I shed tears when I heard the story of this
repeating plight and hope others are moved by the tragic lifestyle these
families face daily. I hope hearts are stirred to offer help to these
victims, as I believe one day we all have to answer to our maker.”
BPCA asked for prayer that
the Government of Pakistan builds infrastructure to prevent the huge
annual loss of life due to weather, and that India and Pakistan are able
to put aside differences and coordinate a mutually beneficial flood
prevention/reduction program.
“Pray for Christians to no
longer be overlooked when flooding occurs, and that they can afford to
rebuild their homes and replace what they have lost,” BPCA added.
For more information visit www.britishpakistanichristians.org
Photo caption: Jeremy and Elma Reynalds.
About
the writer: Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News
Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy
Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, www.joyjunction.org. He
has a master's degree in communication from the University of New
Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in
Los Angeles. His newest book is "From Destitute to Ph.D." Additional
details on "From Destitute to Ph.D." are available at www.myhomelessjourney.com. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Elma. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@gmail.com.
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