Prayer and Action Alert: Pakistan in a State of Emergency over Devastating Floods

Aimee Herd : Aug 20, 2010
BBC News

"…people began snatching the food from us. We were really sad, for we did not have enough food [to give to everyone]."

The monsoon-driven flooding that permeated northern Pakistan weeks ago has only gotten worse according to humanitarian workers attempting to bring relief to victims, as well as the United Nations (UN).

A recent report by BBC News states that "more than four million people have no shelter, and millions more need immediate assistance." It is feared that more flooding could be on the way. (Photo credit: Saqib Yaqub)

US special envoy to the region, Richard Holbrooke noted that the US has pledged full support for those affected. Meanwhile humanitarian relief organizations and even local Christian ministries have stepped up to help Pakistan's people.

Jesus My Shelter (JMS) orphanage has been helping in bringing aid and food to flood-ravaged people in northern Pakistan.

Saqib Yaqub, a worker with JMS remarked on the devastation there, "Last weekend we went to flood victims in 'Athara Hazari' with limited food [supplies]. You cannot imagine: the situation is the worst. Everything has been flowed over. When we started distributing loafs with 'Halwa (sweet dish)', people began snatching the food from us. We were really sad, for we did not have enough food [to give to everyone]." (Photo credit: Saqib Yaqub)

Yaqub states that aid to victims has been slow in coming. For more information on JMS's relief work to those affected by the extreme flooding, CLICK HERE.

Another ministry working to bring relief is Samaritan's Purse. In a recent blog entry the situation in Pakistan was described.

Tens of thousands of families continue to be affected by widespread flooding in the northern foothills of Pakistan.

Monsoon rains in late July caused massive landslides and flash floods as rivers crested their banks. The flood crest swept downstream, inundating huge areas of Punjab and Sindh Provinces. Thousands of villages have been wiped out as flood waters wash away sun-dried mud adobe houses.

Samaritan's Purse is continuing to help by partnering with local Believers. We are working through six Christian churches or ministries in six regions to help 2,000 families.

We are distributing food packages as well as hygiene items, cooking utensils, Bibles, bedding, clothing, and medicine.

For a full report from BBC News of the flooding in Pakistan, follow the source link provided.