Nepal is a disaster prone country. It has three main terrains - mountains, hills and terai (plain land). Landslides in hilly areas and floods in the plainlands area of Nepal are regular annual disasters. They cause huge loss of life and damage to property and livelihood.

It is now monsoon season in Nepal. There has been heavy rainfall in different parts of Nepal causing landslides and floods which has caused the displacement of thousands of families. In the month of July, 31 people died in landslides and floods. Tragically, this is increasing day by day. Thousands were displaced when the River Koshi flooded into villages. Many districts such as Rukum, Dhading, Nuwakot, Chitwan and Kaski have reported landslides causing loss of life and poverty.

The Nepalese government works hard and does their best, but always lacks capacity to support these affected families with an emergency response and emergency relief. For this reason, our church ministry supports and cares for many affected families. Livingstone Ministry has been trying to reach out to our rural churches and people who are affected by landslide and floods. These people are in immediate need of tarps, food and hygiene kits. They also need solar lights to use at night. We have been praying for their protection and daily needs to be met in such devastating circumstances.

Displaced families are staying in schools or using tarps as temporary outdoor shelters. They don’t have food and are also facing sanitation and hygiene problems as they have to use a common toilet, or open toilets in some places. Children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable group and most severely affected in this situation. They need more care and hygiene. Landslide affected families have lost their houses. Some of them have lost their beloved ones.

Roads are blocked in landslide areas. It is very difficult for people to travel. Vehicles in those areas are spending almost 24 hours to 48 hours on the road due to traffic jams.

The most important needs for the families affected by landslides and floods are tarps for temporary shelters, food, hygiene kits, mosquito nets and lamps. It is raining and it may affect more people still as the monsoons normally continue through to the end of August.

One of our church leaders stated: “We have mission fields in Rukum, Nuwakot and Dhading. These areas are affected by heavy rainfall and landslides while floods have destroyed much of Terai where we have another mission field. This is always a very challenging time for us. We are praying for the safety of our churches and church members. We are also praying that affected families can get their necessities in such a difficult time”. Another of our pastors in Dhading said, “I hope and pray that we can be any kind of support to our people in such situations.”

I would like to request that you pray for Nepal. Please pray for our people who have been affected by floods and landslides.

Pastor Rabindra, Nepal

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