Baptist World Aid Australia responds to Pakistan Floods

August 26

Baptist World Aid Australia has launched an appeal to raise funds for emergency relief operations in Pakistan.

After heavy monsoon rains triggered the country’s worst flooding in 80 years, more than 1,600 people have lost their lives and over four million have lost their homes.

Overall, 20 million people have been affected by the flooding, as farms have been inundated, livestock lost, and roads and bridges destroyed leaving millions stranded and cut off from supplies of food, water and medical assistance. The damage has stretched over 1000km and covers an area that is being likened to the size of Italy.

Please give generously today to help those in desperate need.

Baptist World Aid Australia is working with Conscience International, a Christian partner specialising in emergency relief operations. They have been working in Pakistan for ten years and have primarily supported people displaced by conflict and natural disasters including the devastating Kashmir earthquake in 2005.

Since July 23 they have had two teams in the field in Pakistan distributing aid. One of these teams reported that, “Hundreds of displaced persons are sitting under the open sky without proper shelter; thousands are visible along roadsides, without any help or basic facilities. They are distressed to see their homes destroyed and flood water surrounding their villages. The ordeal has left many exhausted and hopeless. Their basic needs now are clean water, food, shelter, and clothing. We have made food distributions among the people but have used up all the funds given to date.”

Please give now so Conscience International can continue serving the people of Pakistan. In one of the areas they have visited, they are the only organisation that has offered help.

Your gift of $34 can provide food and other essentials for a family of up to 6 people for 10 days.

Your gift of $227 can fund the treatment of 50 people through a mobile health clinic and provide information on staying healthy to many more.

Your gift of $5,600-$11,000 can install a water purification system providng safe water for a village and thousands of people.

Please pray for the people of Pakistan:

• For provision of enough aid and that access to the cut off areas would be restored quickly; 
• For the activities of Conscience International as they provide food, medical assistance and clean water;
• For the children affected, and that they can receive medical attention;
• For God’s comfort and provision among such immense suffering.

 More information on Conscience International's flood relief work in Pakistan.

Image: Reuters/Stringer, courtesy www.alertnet.org. A family takes refuge on top of a mosque awaiting rescue from flood waters. August 5, 2010

Gifts of $2 and over are tax deductible and you will receive an Annual Tax Statement at the end of the financial year.