25 August 2010: Teams deliver aid to remote regions

OM International

The team distributed 72 food packages among flood survivors in a remote northern city of Pakistan. Accessing such a remote area was only possible via a make-shift bridge that was built by the army after the original bridge was washed away by floods.

Before distributing aid to people in this challenging area, the team met with the District Coordination Officer. The officer welcomed the team’s offer of help and explained the current situation: “Food, tents and medicines are immediately needed to meet urgent needs. I appreciate the efforts of Christian people; you always step in first to help in times of need and serve without any greed.”

The team found unbelievable destruction in the region. It is hard for relief workers to access the area and people are fighting hard for survival.

No bridge over troubled waters

An OM team planned to supply food packages to 185 families in a northern region, but they were only able to provide aid to five families. The remaining families were inaccessible because they live on the other side of a fast-flowing river. Flooding destroyed the only bridge and the water current is too strong to cross the river without a boat. The army promised to help by delivering their food packages to the stranded families by boats. However, the team did not receive help from them until later that day. Finally, the team decided to shift their stock to a safer place. The team is considering relocating to the other side of the river to solve the delivery problem. They need to see some solutions for future distribution.

Prayer Points:

• One team’s vehicle broke down because of terrible road conditions. Thank God they were able to get it repaired to continue at full capacity. Pray for ongoing safety of people and vehicles

• Pray for wisdom for the team in finding solutions to the ongoing distribution problems caused by the badly-damaged infrastructure. Pray for strength for the team to reach those areas where people are starving and dying.

• Cooking, packing and distributing food is a huge challenge for the team in the high humidity and summer heat (40 degrees Celsius). Pray for the teams’ health and safety.

• One of the ladies in the team, who is educating Sindhi women in how to use oral rehydration solutions, is sick. Pray that she will be healed and able to continue her work.

Credit: OM International
© 2010 OM International