CRWRC is responding to the United Nations’ call to help feed 1.5 million Pakistanis who were left homeless, hungry and without clean water after Cyclone Yemyin. Plans are also underway to respond to on-going flooding in India, and Bangladesh where millions more have been affected.
“Pakistan is getting inundated with rains on top of Cyclone Yemyin that hit the coast June 23 and 24th,” said CRWRC Relief Program Manager, Grace Wiebe. These dangerous rains have broken dams, flooded cities, destroyed houses and crops, and displaced families.
CRWRC is responding to this crisis by using its resources in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to provide four months of emergency food supplies to 2,000 families in need. Food distributions are expected to begin in the next couple of weeks and will be carried out through the local partner Interfaith League Against Poverty.
“With heavy rains also continuing in India and Bangladesh, we are also looking at responding there,” says Wiebe. In Bangladesh this response has begun by targeting 2,000 families with emergency food. In the Bihar region of India, CRWRC’s response will likely include temporary shelter and emergency food for 3,000 families.
Financial donations can be given to CRWRC in support of these efforts. Checks should be made out to CRWRC and marked “Asia Floods 2007”. Gifts can also be given online or by calling 1-800-55-CRWRC (US) or 1-800-730-3490.
by Kristen deRoo VanderBerg