Pakistani Christians caught up in floods

Christians in Pakistan are in “grievous distress” as large swathes of Pakistan are once again submerged in water.

Serious flooding has forced thousands of people into emergency camps where facilities are poor and they are at risk of catching diseases such as malaria, dysentery and dengue fever.

It comes exactly one year after flood waters covered vast swathes of Pakistan last summer.

Barnabas Fund said some areas were seeing worse flooding than last year, with the equivalent of an entire monsoon season’s worth of rain falling in just a few days.

It warned that Christians were particularly vulnerable because they already live in poverty and are often overlooked in the distribution of aid.

One church leader in Pakistan told the charity: “I am terribly sad to see the destruction and poor condition of the people affected by heavy rains.

“I have noticed and seen that Christians are being deprived of the help, relief and support that other people are getting.”

Barnabas Fund has launched an emergency appeal to provide food, clean water and hygiene products to Pakistani Christians caught up in the floods.

It has already sent grants to partners in the worst-affected areas to provide immediate aid to more than 800 families, including food packages and health and hygiene kits.

International Director of Barnabas Fund, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, said: “In this latest calamity our brothers and sisters in Pakistan have no way to help themselves, and other organisations may never come to their aid.

“They are crying out to us for their very lives. Will you please help us help them to survive?”

To donate, visit: barnabasfund.org/donations/?id=00-634&appealCode=PAK%2009/11