Indonesia (MNN) ― Villages buried in landslides triggered by last week's earthquake in Indonesia may be declared mass graves. Hundreds are still missing and feared dead, and the focus now is on the living and on keeping them alive.
Scott Aminov with Food For The Hungry (FH) spoke to us from the heart of the quake zone in Padang, Sumatra. "Food For The Hungry is reaching out to two of those predominantly-Muslim areas. We've set up a food kitchen, and we're feeding over 700 people daily."
The team targeted a group of people who fled into the mountains, fearful of a repeat of 2004's tsunami. FH set up the feeding site at the base of the mountain in the hope that their presence would encourage the people to return.
It's the first step in meeting physical needs. Aminov says they've mobilized believers to respond because "I think this is a prime opportunity for the local church to move into action and to be the light that God has called us to be."
In the longer term, FH is targeting two sub-districts of Pariaman where few others are operating. "We have also been working to address some of the other needs such as safe water, shelter and long-term development. We're actively partnering with the local church to accomplish all of those goals."
FH is mobilizing the local churches and partners together with OBI (Ober Berkat Indonesia) to organize workers in cleaning up the debris so that homes/buildings can be rebuilt.
Two engineers from Engineering Ministries International also assisted with the assessment and will likely help set up and monitor water and sanitation initiatives.
Keep praying for the children and families who are injured, displaced and grieving. Pray that Food for the Hungry can continue to provide care and relief supplies. If you can help, click here.
