Praising God in the Philippines, but further flooding too

The first instalment of aid has already been distributed for typhoon victims in the Philippines.

However, a third storm has now caused catastrophic flooding and landslides in two provinces of the northern Philippines. This follows the devastation of Typhoon Ketsana (26 September) and Typhoon Parma (3-4 October). “The rains in this area are unprecedented,” commented the National Disaster Coordinating Council. Around 100 people are feared killed and thousands are stranded on rooftops and higher ground.

Prayer answered in Padang

One of our partners is working in Padang, capital of the West Sumatra province of Indonesia and epicentre of the quakes. After two days our partners had already registered 839 Christian families affected by the earthquake, with more to come as they continue their work. They had bought and delivered 11,225 tonnes of rice and had secured commitments from two suppliers to bring in more. This is an amazing answer to prayer in a city where rice is hard to find in any quantity at present. In addition they have distributed noodles to 607 families, and instant milk will be the next item to be supplied. By the end of the week, they hope to have purchased sufficient supplies for the estimated total of 1,000 Christian families in need, and the remaining distribution will be carried out from a local church.

Losing their livelihood

With support from Barnabas Fund, food packets have been sent to 30 Christian families in outlying areas that are very difficult to reach. These families used to work as brick-makers, compressing clay in moulds and then firing it in ovens. But their ovens were destroyed in the earthquake, and so they have lost their livelihood at just the time when brick sales are likely to increase sharply. Having been making about £5 (US$8; €5.50) per day selling bricks, they are now working as labourers for about £2 (US$3; €2.20) per day. They were very glad to receive the food!

So much still to be done

Much remains to be done, however. Christians in Sumatra live alongside a Muslim majority who harass and discriminate against them. After natural disasters Muslim hostility is sometimes expressed in the withholding of aid from needy Christians. It is reliably reported that some Christian families are receiving no support from either Muslim NGOs or the Indonesian government; they are at the bottom of everybody’s priority list. Furthermore, the Chinatown area of Padang, which is where Christians are allowed to hold services, was the worst hit part of the city, with some 80% of buildings damaged, of which about 20% were destroyed or left uninhabitable.

An urgent priority is to provide temporary shelter for the many Christians who have lost their homes in Indonesia. The cost is only £16 ($25; €17) per family. Barnabas is sending funds to provide shelters for 500 Christian families.

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, says, “We thank the Lord so much for the practical concern of Barnabas supporters for suffering Christians in South-East Asia. These brothers and sisters continue to need our help as they endure the aftermath of the earthquakes and the antagonism and indifference of their Muslim neighbours. We ask you to remember them in prayer, and with whatever further help you can give, as the need is so great – in the short term or food and temporary shelter, and in the long term for rebuilding permanent homes.”

Donate Today

If you would like to support the Christians of South-East Asia in their continuing need, please click to donate online using our secure server please quote project reference 00-634 (Disaster Fund).

If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK (Please quote project reference 00-634).

If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for the address of our regional office. (Please quote project reference 00-634).