After catastrophic flooding in India killed at least 5,000 people and destroyed many homes, Samaritan's Purse worked through ministry partners to provide aid to those in need.
After the flooding, many people didn’t eat for several days. They were happy to receive food and other items from our ministry partners.
Samaritan’s Purse, working through three partner ministries, recently provided food, water, blankets, and other basic relief items to 2,400 families in a remote region of northern India devastated by monsoon flooding. Through another partner, an additional 100 families received aid in an area of western Nepal affected by the same flooding.
An estimated 1.25 million people were impacted by the June disaster. Delivering the desperately needed supplies often proved difficult for our partners since numerous roads were washed out, severing access to many villages in Uttarakhand State. Before receiving the items we supplied, some men and women had survived weeks with little food or clean water.
Residents lost family members, homes, livestock, and their means of survival. More than 5,000 people were reported missing and are now presumed dead. The actual death toll could be higher as many were visiting the region for Hindu pilgrimages and may be unaccounted for.
The needs continue to be staggering. Our ministry partners consistently reported the people’s gratitude. The basic necessities we provided may not seem like much, but for a few it may have meant the difference between life and death.
- Seeta Devi had the responsibility of caring for her four children after she was widowed. The flood swept away the animals that provided the milk she formerly sold to support her family. In the midst of her difficulties, the simple gift of clean water and a blanket brought a fresh smile to her face.
- Bam Bahadur also received assistance. He had been working to support both himself and the family of his paralyzed brother. When a wave of water came crashing through the mountains, Bam injured his leg while fleeing, which left him unable to work. The food he received arrived at a crucial moment.
- Sumit was traveling with his eight-month-old baby when the floods came. He told the team distributing aid that they had spent days with nothing to eat or drink and no shelter, describing it as a nightmare he would never forget. Our partners reached him in time to revive his hopes of survival.
These and many other dire needs were eased thanks to your support. Please continue to pray for the people of India and Nepal as they rebuild their lives in the wake of the flooding. Please pray for our partners as they continue ministering to the many who have been affected. Finally, pray that God would open doors of opportunity for local believers to share the love of Christ.
