Workers Take Quick Action to Aid Myanmar Flood Victims
Amid recent flooding and landslides in Myanmar, workers supported by Gospel for Asia (GFA) evacuated many villagers to higher ground and safety using the organization’s Galilee Boat. GFA-supported workers also provided villagers with relief items, including rice and water.
Monsoon periods in Myanmar begin during May or June, feature regular flooding and continue into July and August. The monsoons bring incessant rainfalls that often devastate homes, farmland, buildings and roads and, unfortunately, contribute to loss of life. In 2015, Myanmar floods and landslides killed more than 100 people, displaced more than 1.7 million individuals and affected over 9 million people across the Southeast Asian nation.
“We thank God for our brothers and sisters that are actively helping to bring emergency relief to these flood victims. As they assist these precious villagers in many physical ways, they are also able to share the peace and comfort of our Lord Jesus,” said K.P. Yohannan, founder and international director of GFA.
GFA-supported workers are able to mobilize and assist quickly because they utilize a versatile, oar-propelled boat, the Galilee, that can often navigate to remote villages before any organization or government agency is able to do so.
GFA-supported workers assisted flood victims living in the Rakhine state, the most affected state in Myanmar. Workers were able to swiftly transport many of the area’s displaced families to temporary rescue camps set up in the local mountains, and to find hospital accommodations for those who exhibited flood-related illnesses, such as fever and diarrhea.
Recent floods in Rakhine reportedly have affected 25,000 people, damaged at least 5,000 buildings and resulted in two deaths. The heavy rain that started in early July began to lessen around July 15.
As waters recede, villagers are able to return to their homes, but not without facing more devastation. They will find many of their homes swamped with mud or lost completely and their farmlands destroyed. They will have much work ahead to decontaminate their water sources and sanitation, rebuild their food supplies and protect themselves from flood-related sickness.
GFA-supported workers will be present to provide ongoing assistance to the flood victims of Myanmar.
“Our prayers are with all those affected; we know that our efforts will help with their physical needs and hope to continue to bring relief as they rebuild their lives,” said Yohannan.
GOSPEL FOR ASIA has – for more than 30 years – provided humanitarian assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially among those who have yet to hear the Good News.
(Source: Christian Newswire)
