A UK Christian humanitarian charity is taking part in relief efforts in India as the country deals with the worst flooding it's seen in a century.
Rains have been diminishing in parts of Kerala state, where floods and landslides have killed more than 200 people in less than two weeks and about 800,000 more have been forced into thousands of relief camps.
Volunteers reach out to stranded people with food supplies in a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018
Torrential rains began on 8th August in the midst of the annual monsoon season, eventually leaving much of the state partially submerged.
Giovanna Reda, head of humanitarian programmes for the Asia region for Christian charity CAFOD, told Premier News Hour the situation is desperate.
She said workers are trying to do their best to access the most remote territories.
An Indian air-force helicopter on rescue mission flies through a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018
"We're blessed because we're working with one of the biggest humanitarian agencies in India, Caritas," Reda added.
"We're helping them through our own funds to reach 32,000 people that are currently in distress, who are without a home, who lost everything,"
"They need to wash themselves and feed themselves. We're providing wash items, food, and shelter for them and we're especially targeting women and girls because usually in these types of emergencies they are more neglected."
A volunteer throws a pack of bread towards a family stranded in a flooded area in Chengannur in the southern state of Kerala, India, Sunday, Aug.19, 2018.
Thousands of people are taking shelter in small camps in the coastal town of Alappuzha. Many are in schools, but at least one is on the grounds of a mosque where Christians, Hindus and Muslims have all found food and a place to sleep.
Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.
Article by Tola Mbakwe
Tola Mbakwe is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference
In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.
Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.
For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.
Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.
Support Us
