pakistan projects
In October 2005, an earthquake struck the remote and Northern Pakistan. According to U.N. estimates there was massive
Destruction in six northern districts of North Western
Frontier Province (NWFP), five districts of Azad of Jammu
and Kashmir (AJK), including Muzaffarabad. The same U.N. report, indicated priority needs for up to 2.5 million affected people
in AJK and 2 million affected people in NWFP.
Feed The Hungry, partnering with the Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Pakistan, rushed emergency food rations and blankets into the earthquake disaster zone. Emergency transfer of funds were made to purchase critical items nearby so we can get them into the hands of local churches to distribute to the needy.
FTH Director, Jean-Pierre Rummens, was present for assessment and food distribution operations and his report which can be read here.
FTH partner in Pakistan, Ps Salik, sent this followup report showing the impact the gospel is having in this previous closed area of Pakistan.
Click here to read the report.
Earthquake Relief updates
10/10/05 - Pakistan Earthquakes
Jean-Pierre Rummens our most experienced field-man from our German office will be in Pakistan to assess how FTH can best help in the aftermath of the recent earthquakes.
18/10/05 - Pakistan Earthquake Relief - Assessment
Teams have been dispatched to Muzaffarabad and are going out to several devastated village communities from there. One team reported that all the buildings and homes were destroyed in the city. They walked through the streets and saw dead bodies everywhere. They saw a school where 600 children were trapped and only 200 children were rescued. One hospital was completely destroyed, the staff and patients all died.
Because of the continuing rains the roads are damaged and dangerous. The relief work is very slow. People are without food and shelter. It is urgent that we continue to send funds quickly to purchase more food and critical supplies. Trans-oceanic shipping containers of relief supplies will take several weeks to arrive in Pakistan but your donation can immediately be put to work purchasing goods in Pakistan to provide immediate relief to the earthquake victims.
21/10/05 - Pakistan Earthquake Relief - Urgent Prayer request
Stefan Radelich, International Director for FTH is asking all partners and friends to join with us in prayer for the release and shipment of Pakistan Earthquake relief items.
"I have just received notification of a generous donation of survival gear - it's going to work out to be just over 2 shipping containers worth. We'll have a good assortment survival gear - tents, sleeping bags, compact camping stoves, mess kits etc).", explains Stefan, "We are praying that the company will release them quickly and pass them on to us... please pray that this happens TODAY."
"There is a window of opportunity to airlift the goods to Islamabad free of charge" says Stefan Radelich, "This is vitally important as ocean-freight will take too long to get there, as you know its been almost two weeks since the earthquake and lives are literally hanging in the balance because of the weather."
"We’re praying and believing for quick action to be taken TODAY… time is of the essence. Let’s stand together in faith and confidence, believing the LORD to work it out quickly."
Please join with us in prayer and agreement that this urgently needed goods will be released and airlifted this weekend.
24/10/05 - Pakistan Earthquake Relief - Ministering to spirit, soul & body
Salik John, our partner on the ground from the Christian Evangelical Fellowship (CEF) of Pakistan, is a very impressive and capable young man. CEF is well established in the Lahore region and Salik has had a call to plant churches in the land north of Islamabad-- a prophetic call both he and his father questioned seeing that the area has historically been militantly Muslim and closed to the gospel.As the boxing day tsunami opened the gates to Aceh Indonesia, the Christian response to this disaster will open hardened hearts for the gospel and the church. Salik sent this great testimony confirming hearts are already changing in hardline muslims in Pakistan:
"Yesterday our team went to two different villages where most of the homes were destroyed. We took water, milk, rice, snacks and 100 blankets. We distributed all the blankets. It was getting dark so
could not distribute some water and food. Tomorrow we are going back to the affected area again with 100 blankets and the left over water and food.During the distribution people were having conversations that Christians are helping us without any religious discrimination and it shows their concern for humanity. These people are extremely fanatic Muslims - so to hear these kinds of comments from them is a miracle.
Praise God! We were able to show the Love of Jesus and His name was glorified. Please continue to pray for our safety, wisdom and the anointing to reach to this tough area. Salik"
24/10/05 - Pakistan Earthquake Relief - Prayer update
FTH is still waiting for the survival goods to be released.
We have secured an arrangement for the goods to be airlifted straight into Pakistan as soon as the goods are released.
While FTH waits for the goods to be released, we have sent our 2nd emergency transfer through to a local Christian ministry to buy materials to construct temporary shelters and food.
24/11/05 - Pakistan earthquake - Ps. Salik Update
Pastor Salik has just been able to file this quick update on the ongoing relief efforts in Pakistan. Stefan Radelich was able to speak to him over the phone and passed this email on to the international offices.
"This is truly an unprecedented opportunity for the gospel to take root in the Kashmir region.
Over the phone Salik mentioned that Christians were forbidden to enter the areas that they are now ministering in!
Food and relief supplies have been the key to open the door into the villages and the villager’s hearts."
Stefan Radelich
FTH Operations Director
Click here to see Ps. Salik's report.