Barnabas Fund launches emergency appeal for south-east Asia flood victims

Posted: Saturday, October 29, 2011
Source: Christiantoday

People are using boats to get around Bangkok amid fears that the barriers may break AP

Barnabas Fund is appealing for donations as it assists Christians caught up in severe flooding across south-east Asia.

At least 377 people have been killed in Thailand alone, which is experiencing its worst flooding in 50 years.

Other countries affected by flooding are the Philippines, Cambodia, Burma, Laos and Vietnam.

Barnabas Fund said the floods, brought on by heavy seasonal rains, were proving “disastrous” for the region.

In the Thai capital Bangkok, people are trying to leave as around 90 per cent of the city remains under water.

Barnabas Fund has launched an urgent appeal to support Christians caught up in the disaster. It is working through partner organisations based in the region to distribute emergency food packages, blankets and mosquito nets.

In the Philippines, it plans to provide seed and fertiliser for Christian farmers who lost their rice crops just before harvest time.

International Director of Barnabas Fund, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, urged Christians to give whatever they could.

“Conditions in some parts of south-east Asia continue to worsen, and Barnabas Fund is helping many of our stricken brothers and sisters with their most urgent needs,” he said.

“But much remains to be done, and the costs of rebuilding shattered lives and livelihoods will be huge.”